An 11-year-old child has died after going missing at Echo Dale Regional Park in Medicine Hat on Monday afternoon.
Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a missing child at the park at approximately 2:17 p.m. on June 15. HALO Air Ambulance dispatched HALO-1 to assist with the search. The child was located at approximately 3:30 p.m. and transported to hospital by EMS. City officials confirmed the child's death on Tuesday morning.
Police confirmed Tuesday that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation but that foul play is not suspected. The child has not been publicly named. The family has been notified.
"Our thoughts are with the child's family, classmates, school staff, first responders, and all those affected by this tragic incident," the Medicine Hat Police Service said in a statement. "Out of respect for the privacy of the child and the family, no further details will be released."
What is closed right now
The City of Medicine Hat has closed all city-operated pools and aquatic facilities until further notice. The closures are in place to allow for a thorough review of the incident and to provide support to staff, first responders, and community members affected.
The following facilities are closed:
Kinsmen Aquatic Park at Big Marble Go Centre. Hill Pool. Strathcona Pool. The pool at Crestwood Recreation Centre.
Echo Dale Regional Park also remains closed during the investigation and review.
"This pause will allow for a thorough review, and to provide support to those impacted," the City of Medicine Hat said in a statement.
About Echo Dale Regional Park
Echo Dale Regional Park is a major outdoor recreation destination in Medicine Hat, located approximately 15 minutes from the city centre. It features a free swim lake open seasonally swim lake hours were running 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for the 2026 summer season, which opened May 29. The park also includes a campground, multi-use trails, a playground, an off-leash dog area, and a boat launch on the South Saskatchewan River.
The park had previously been closed briefly in early June due to high streamflow levels from regional rainfall and had just reopened for the summer season before Monday's incident.
What water safety looks like at Echo Dale's swim lake
Echo Dale's swim lake is a natural lake, not a chlorinated pool. That distinction matters for how it is supervised and what safety protocols apply compared to a traditional pool environment.
The swim lake operates under lifeguard supervision during its posted hours. The city's rules require all children under nine to be accompanied in the water by a person aged 16 or older. The swim centre on site provides food, drinks, washrooms, and change rooms during operating hours.
Natural swim lakes present different supervision challenges than pools. Visibility underwater is limited. Boundaries are less defined than lane ropes. The South Saskatchewan River runs adjacent to the park with its own current and conditions. The city's review of Monday's incident will examine what protocols were in place, how they were applied, and whether any changes are needed before facilities reopen.
What comes next
Medicine Hat Police said more information will be shared when details become available. The investigation is ongoing. Pool and park closure timelines have not been confirmed beyond until further notice.
Residents with questions about the pool closures can contact the City of Medicine Hat at 403-529-8333.
Support resources for the Medicine Hat community
The death of a child affects entire communities classmates, teachers, parents, coaches, and the first responders who were on scene Monday afternoon all may be processing what happened.
The City of Medicine Hat has said the pool and park closures are partly intended to provide support to those impacted. Residents looking for additional support can contact:
Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868. Free, confidential, available to young people across Canada around the clock.
For school-age children, the Medicine Hat Public School Division and Holy Family Catholic Schools both have access to counselling support through their schools. Parents concerned about how their children are processing this news can contact their child's school directly.
Sources:
Medicine Hat Police Service, Incident at Echo Dale Regional Park, June 15-16, 2026 (mhps.ca)
City of Medicine Hat, Pool and park closure announcement, June 16, 2026 (medicinehat.ca)
City of Medicine Hat, Echo Dale Regional Park page (medicinehat.ca/parks-recreation/parks/echo-dale-regional-park)
HALO Air Ambulance, HALO-1 dispatch statement, June 15, 2026
