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Boy recovering following near-drowning at lakeshore, but police still need answers

Barrie police still trying to determine what exactly happened to boy and why he needed to be rescued
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A Barrie police boat arrives Sunday evening to investigate after a near-drowning at Centennial Beach near the inflatable water park. Kevin Lamb for BarrieToday.

It's good news so far for the 12-year-old boy who was rescued from Centennial Beach waters.

That has Barrie police relieved, but investigators are still searching for answers.

Const. Nicole Rodgers spoke with BarrieToday this afternoon and said that the update she received was great as far as how the boy was doing, but now the investigation needs to be completed and that’s where police are relying on the community.

“I spoke to a detective earlier and he said that the boy was in stable but very good condition, which isn’t necessarily a medical term, but its one that we can all relate to and be happy about,” she said.

Sunday’s incident at the popular Barrie beach happened around 5 p.m. when a 12-year-old boy went into medical distress and, after being pulled from the water, he was transported to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and then rushed to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.

Rodgers knows that with hundreds of people at the beach and many who helped in the rescue, someone has the information emergency personnel need to tie everything together.

“We really, really need people to call in and help us out," she said. "We're not doing a criminal investigation; it's a typical investigation as to how he needed rescuing.

“Did he bump his head? Did he slip? How long was he in the water? These are all things that once we find out it will help the doctors."

There is still no word also if the boy was from the area or was visiting with family.

Detectives are looking to speak to those who were at the Splash On Water Park and were involved in the rescue and aid of the youth, or who may have seen the events leading up to the rescue.  

Anyone who has not already spoken to police is asked to call 705-725-7025, ext. 2129.