A heroic big sister did her best to save her younger sibling from drowning in a hotel pool on Sunday, but tragically, 11-year-old Mackenzie Cornell died after attempts to revive her failed.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said that the incident happened at a pool party at the Wheelersburg Quality Inn on Sunday afternoon.
Mackenzie’s little sister fell into the pool, and she dove in to attempt to save her. Unfortunately, both children went under the water.
Adults later spotted the children, pulled them from the water, called 9-1-1, and began CPR. Thankfully, rescuers were able to revive the younger child poolside. EMS workers from Porter Township continued CPR while they transported Mackenzie to SOMC, but she was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Members of the South Webster community got together at Bloom-Vernon Elementary School on Monday night to hold a vigil in her honor. Counselors will be at the school from noon to 2 pm Tuesday through Friday and at South Webster Community Church on Thursday evening from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.
Sheriff Thoroughman says the investigation into the incident is still ongoing. SCDN reached out to the parent company of Quality Inn to ask about pool safety at their hotels, but they have yet to respond.
*Note – the Sheriff’s Office originally told the press that the younger sister had dove into the pool to save Mackenzie. According to Sheriff Thoroughman, “After following up and speaking with witnesses it was learned that with the names of the two sisters being similar and the dreadful scene that was playing out that the names of the sisters were mixed up.”