In a heartbreaking incident that has cast a shadow over the summer season at one of Ontario’s most beloved beach destinations, a three-year-old child has drowned at Sandbanks Provincial Park, provincial authorities confirmed Sunday.
The tragedy unfolded Saturday afternoon when emergency services responded to reports of a missing child at the popular provincial park located in Prince Edward County. According to Ontario Provincial Police, the toddler was found unresponsive in the water after what appears to have been a brief separation from family members.
“Despite immediate life-saving efforts by park staff, first responders, and medical personnel, the child was pronounced deceased after being transported to a local hospital,” said OPP Constable Jennifer Williams in a statement to CO24 News.
Park officials reported that the beach was moderately crowded at the time of the incident, with seasonal attendance numbers having returned to pre-pandemic levels during the summer of 2025. Witness accounts suggest the child may have wandered away during a momentary lapse in supervision, though investigators are still piecing together the exact timeline.
“This type of tragedy affects not just the family but our entire community,” said Prince Edward County Mayor Susan Anderson. “Our thoughts are with the family during this unimaginable time of grief.”
The incident has prompted renewed discussions about water safety at Ontario’s provincial parks. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks indicated they will be conducting a review of safety protocols, though emphasized that existing measures, including designated swimming areas and regular staff patrols, were in place at the time.
Dr. Michael Greenwood, a pediatric safety expert at the University of Toronto, told CO24 Canada that drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death among young children.
“Children can drown in as little as 20 seconds, often silently and without the splashing we might expect,” Dr. Greenwood explained. “Constant supervision around water is absolutely critical, particularly for toddlers who are naturally curious and lack awareness of danger.”
Ontario Provincial Police have indicated the investigation is ongoing, though preliminary findings suggest the drowning was accidental. The identity of the child has not been released out of respect for the family.
This marks the second drowning incident at an Ontario provincial park this summer season, following a similar tragedy at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park in June, raising questions about whether additional safety measures are needed at provincial beaches during peak visitation periods.
As Ontarians continue to seek relief from summer heat at beaches and parks across the province, how might communities balance enjoyment of these natural spaces with enhanced vigilance to prevent such devastating losses?
