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12-Year-Old Drowns In Canoe Accident In Harvard, Ill. Pond

Updated 07/09/13 - 10:26 a.m.

HARVARD, Ill. (CBS) -- A 12-year-old northwest suburban boy died Monday night after the canoe he was in with two friends capsized in a Harvard retention pond.

The boys were canoeing on a pond at 811 Apple Valley Road in Harvard when the canoe apparently capsized and the boys fell into the water, according to a statement from McHenry County Coroner Dr. Anne Majewski.

Calls for help alerted an uncle of the boy, who attempted to rescue him as he flailed in the water, the coroner said, but he subsequently went under. Multiple fire and rescue units were called to assist.

The other two young males who were in the canoe when it capsized were able to get to shore.

A dive team found the boy's body in 15-20 feet of water, about 125 feet from shore about 8:30 p.m., according to the coroner. They immediately began efforts to resuscitate him, and he was taken to Harvard Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:46 p.m.

The coroner's investigator noted no evidence of external trauma to the body. An autopsy will be performed Tuesday morning.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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