A young, Laurel, Md., boy lost his life on his birthday during what was supposed to be a fun day at camp, WJLA reports.
Dennis Kemp, 13, drowned while swimming in a lake at Oregon Ridge Park while out with his camping group, Camp Sonshine, based in Silver Spring, Md., officials said, according to the news station.
Onlookers watched the young boy go under the water a little after noon Friday. Lifeguards attempted to get to him but did not succeed. Rescuers had to take over the mission, recovering the boy’s body more than two hours after he first went down.
According to WJLA, the youth was swimming in a part of the lake that was deep, and thus reserved for those who first passed a swim test. Dennis, reportedly, had passed.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz told the station. “On behalf of the citizens of Baltimore County, I offer deepest sympathy to the victim’s family and friends.”
A burial fund has been started to helping Dennis’ parents with funeral costs.
Read more at WJLA.