At 3:51 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2018, a call was received by Red River Regional Dispatch reporting a drowning in a retention pond in the 2900 block of Fifth Street W. West Fargo Fire Department immediately responded with a rescue truck and engine. Firefighters entered the water immediately while bystanders pointed to where the child was seen last and attempted a rescue. The West Fargo Police Department was also immediately on scene and called for Valley Water Rescue, who arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m.
As more units arrived, the fire department put four rescue swimmers in the water but were unable to find the victim. At 5 p.m. the incident transitioned from rescue to recovery mode and Valley Water Rescue entered the pond with divers. The divers utilized a sonar water drone to search and finally locate the victim. When the victim was located at 6:58 p.m. A diver entered the water to retrieve the body.
At 7:07 p.m. the body was removed from the water and transported off scene by F-M Ambulance.
Cass County Sheriff’s Department, North Dakota Highway Patrol, City of West Fargo Public Works and the Salvation Army were also on scene to provide assistance.
The incident is an ongoing investigation. Details regarding the victim will not be released.