11-Year-Old Girl Dies After Attempting to Save Classmate Who Fell Through Ice in Albany

The tragic incident at Washington Park Lake claimed the lives of two middle school students, prompting grief across the Albany community.

An 11-year-old girl passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained while trying to rescue her 12-year-old classmate who fell through thin ice at Washington Park Lake on December 7, 2024.
Authorities believe the boy attempted to walk across the frozen lake toward a lake house when he fell through the ice, with the girl following in an effort to save him.
The boy's body was recovered three hours after the incident by New York State Police's underwater recovery team, while the girl was rescued and hospitalized in critical condition before her death days later.
Both children were students at North Albany Middle School, where school officials have been offering grief counseling and emotional support to students and staff.
The Albany Police Department and the City School District of Albany have expressed condolences to the families, highlighting the girl's selfless courage in trying to save her friend.