Girl killed in overhang collapse at lake

Monday, June 2, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

National Park Service investigators believe wind and waves at Lake Mohave may have caused a sand and rock overhang to collapse, burying a 5-year-old girl playing below who died two hours later.

The child was along the shady shore at Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Turkey Cove with her 4-year-old sister and their 5-year-old brother when the tragedy happened about 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The overhang gave way, burying the girl and injuring her sister, authorities said. Family members pulled the buried child from the debris and took her by boat to Katherine Landing launch ramp where park rangers put her aboard the Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter for air evacuation to a Bullhead City, Ariz., hospital.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4:30 p.m. The girl's sister suffered a broken arm, and her brother escaped injury.

The victims' names have been withheld until relatives can be notified.

Turkey Cove is located just south of the Katherine Landing developed area on Lake Mohave.

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