A day at the water turned tragic Saturday when a child's body was recovered from Cherry Creek Reservoir at Cherry Creek State Park after an hours-long search, authorities said. The effort began in the afternoon after reports that a child on a float near the park's swim beach went under the surface and did not come back up.
How the search unfolded
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said two children had been sharing a float near the swim beach at about 4 p.m. One child was seen walking safely back to shore, but witnesses reported that the other went under the water at around 4:25 p.m. and never resurfaced, according to KDVR / Fox31 Denver.
Park rangers, nearby visitors, and multiple dive teams joined the frantic search, sweeping the reservoir into the night. Colorado Parks and Wildlife's marine evidence recovery team ultimately located the child at about 10:20 p.m., roughly six hours after the initial calls for help. Officials said the child's identity has not been released, pending notification of family members.
Rescue response
South Metro Fire Rescue said on social media that its crews, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, responded to the water rescue and searched the swim area using sonar and dive teams, according to CBS Colorado.
Witnesses at the park told reporters they saw the child go under and that bystanders, along with a CPW ranger, immediately jumped into the water to try to help before first responders arrived. Agencies at the scene said they would share additional details as they are confirmed.
Park rules and safety
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Cherry Creek State Park requires children 12 and younger to wear life jackets while on any vessel, and officials regularly stress the need for close supervision around open water. In recent years, state and local agencies have promoted life-jacket loaner stations and safety campaigns at busy reservoirs to reduce drownings.
The incident highlights the risks tied to flotation devices on open water and the importance of properly fitted personal flotation devices for children. CPW said the recovery marked the end of the active search and that investigators are now working with the coroner's office. As of Saturday night, officials had not released the child's identity or the cause of death, according to KDVR / Fox31 Denver.
