CLEVELAND — A 10-year-old girl who was pulled from the lake at Edgewater Beach earlier this week has died, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.
In total, three girls were rescued from Lake Erie at Edgewater on Tuesday night, including the 10-year-old.
Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman said the young girls got caught in a powerful undertow.
A man walking his dog then jumped into the water and saved two of the girls. The man got trapped near a buoy trying to save the 10-year-old, and he had to be rescued by a kite surfer, Norman said.
Cleveland Metroparks police said they removed the 10-year-old girl from the water after about five minutes and performed CPR before Cleveland Fire arrived at the scene.
According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office, the 10-year-old girl has been identified as Ayanna McGee. A cause of death hasn't been released.
"They were able to get a return of spontaneous circulation for her, which is the landmark we're hoping to get," said Norman. "But at this time, it's sort of touch and go for us."
Nathan Hughes said he was at Edgewater enjoying the sunset with his girlfriend when he noticed something was wrong.
"I looked over at my 1 o'clock from where I was sitting, and the guy's like 'help, help!" said Hughes.
He said he rushed into the water and helped get two of the girls to the beach, but the current was pulling the 10-year-old farther from shore.
A day later, Hughes said he can't get the image of the girl out of his mind.
"It's not going to go away," said Hughes. "That type of thing does not leave your mind."
Norman said the girl's aunt was on the beach when the girl went under.
A Metroparks spokesperson said the girls entered the water outside Edgewater's designated swimming area.
The rescue happened more than an hour after the beach's lifeguards went home for the night.
Norman said it's important swimmers heed warnings and know what to expect before they get into the lake.
"The water is dangerous, especially the lake. You know, you've got undertows, currents underneath the water that you can't see that are really powerful," said Norman.
