3-Year-Old Girl Drowns at Douglas Lake Swimming Area

Authorities confirmed that a child died in a drowning accident at Douglas Lake on Saturday.

Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals said that a 911 call was received at about 6:15 p.m. on July 29, 2017, reporting that a child was missing at the TVA swimming area near Douglas Dam.

The 3-year-old girl from Alabama was visiting the lake with her parents and a large group of people when they discovered her missing. People at the swimming area began searching and found the child submerged in the water about 15-20 minutes later. They pulled her from the water and initiated CPR. Emergency services arrived, continued resuscitation and transported the child to LeConte Medical Center in Sevierville where she was pronounced dead. The name of the child has been withheld pending notification of family.

The drowning is under investigation as officers continue to interview witnesses.