A fun beach trip to Lake Erie turned into a tragedy. Sadly, the rip current swept a 10-year-old out to sea while the family was enjoying the water. Authorities launched a multi-day search of the lake to try to find the boy. However, sadly, the Conneaut Police Department confirmed that they recovered Hunter Ebie's body.
They believe the 10-year-old drowned, but authorities took the body to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office."It is with great sadness to report 10-year-old Hunter has been recovered," the department said in an update Tuesday. "Please keep Hunter's family in your thoughts and prayers."
According to police, the 10-year-old and his family visited Conneaut Township Park last Friday when a strong rip current carried him away. Following his passing, a family friend organized a GoFundMe for the 10-year-old.
They wrote, "This is Hunter, the boy that lost his life in Lake Erie on Friday. Hunter was ankle deep in the water and just like that, he was swept away. This happened in front of his family. His mother, Diana, fought those waves until she almost gave up her life as well trying to find Hunter."
10-Year-Old Died After Being Swept To Sea
They continued, "They are still tryin to recover Hunter from the water, In a time like right now, the last thing they need to worry about is the cost of this situations expenses of gas cost, food cost and the harsh reality that there will be expenses here to lay their son to rest. The news channels have posted some false information about the story, stating that the children were unattended. I assure you that they were not. She was right there when this happened. I can not fathom the grief that this family is dealing with, the pain of the situation. I am creating this page to help this family, no one should ever have to bury their child. Thoughts and prayers to the family during this time."
Meanwhile, one person who donated to the GoFundMe wrote, "My thoughts and prayers are with your family, and I think of you all often. Please reach out, I'm happy to buy meals to take at least one thing off your plates and give you one less thing to worry about right now."
In a family statement, obtained by FOX 8, they wrote, "words cannot express. He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin and just an overall caring and loving kid."
"We propose to you that more life preservers [are needed], awareness of rip tides, knowledge of rip tides for those unfamiliar with how strong these waters can be," the family's statement said. "We do not want any more victims to die in these tragic waters. Hunter will be forever loved and missed."
