State Police Find Girl's Body
in Lake Ontario

July 17, 2007, 9:28 p.m.

SOUTHWICK BEACH STATE PARK —   State police in Watertown located the body of Anna E. Wright, 17, Jamesville, at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The victim had been swimming with friends near Southwick Beach in the town of Ellisburg on July 15 when she experienced difficulty swimming.

She was located by a state police dive team utilizing side-scan radar in approximately 14 feet of water approximately 3/4 south of the lake view marsh area.  This was the area of the her last location.

Her body was turned over to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office to determine cause of death.  No foul play is suspected.

Troopers were assisted at the the scene by the Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management, Belleville, Henderson and Adams fire departments, South Jefferson Rescue, state Department of Environmental Conservation, Park Police, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department boat, U.S. Coast Guard and helicopter, and the New York State Police dive team and aviation unit.

July 15, 2007, 11:00 p.m.

SOUTHWICK BEACH STATE PARK —   State police in Watertown are investigating a possible drowning that occurred on Lake Ontario.

At approximately 3:50 p.m., Anna E. Wright, 17, of 3343 Route 91, Jamesville, was swimming in Lake Ontario with four other teens at approximately 2.8 miles south of Southwick Beach State Park in the the town of Ellisburg. 

Sheralyn Wellman, 13, and Anna Wright experienced difficulty swimming in 6- to 8-foot waves.

Joshia Thompson, 15, and Michael LaSalla, 16, Jamesville, swam out to help.

Annalise LaSalla, 14, Jamesville, swam to shore to get help.  She got the attention of a local fishing boat operated by Peter J. Benedict, 33, Cicero, who responded to assist the swimmers.

Sheralyn Wellman was rescued, however Anna Wright never resurfaced and attempts to locate her were unsuccessful.

The Jefferson County STAR Team responded to the scene with divers to search the area.

Due to high waves and limited water visibility, the search was called off at 6:35 p.m.  The search will resume at 8 am. Monday.

All victims were transported to Samaritan Medical Center where they were treated and released.  

No foul play is suspected.

Anna Wright's parents were notified and were on scene.

State police were assisted at the scene by Belleville Rescue, Henderson Fire Department, DEC, N.Y.  State Park Police, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department boat, U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter, and Onondaga County Sheriff's Department helicopter.
     

Official: New York State Police  |  STAR Team  |  NNYFire.com