Girl dies after going underwater in Detroit River, police say

A girl is dead after going underwater in the Detroit River by Maheras-Gentry Park on the east side of Detroit Saturday night, according to police.

Officials received a call around 8:30 p.m. about two sisters who were in the water by the park. Police said one of the girls had been taken out before responding law enforcement arrived at the scene, but the other "had not resurfaced."

"We went to our rescue efforts," Detroit Police Department Commander Lawrence Purifoy said while at the scene on Saturday night. "Unfortunately, our rescue efforts turned into a recovery effort."

Purifoy said the girl who didn't resurface was later found dead in the river. Her sister, 9, was okay after they were taken out of the water, according to police.

"There are no words adequate to ease the grief her family is carrying today," Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said in a written statement on Sunday. 

Sheffield added that bystanders at the park "acted quickly" to help rescue the 9-year-old.  

The U.S. Coast Guard, Detroit Fire Department and Harbor Master also responded to the incident, according to officials.