Student drowns at High Meadow Day Camp, officials release identity

GRANBY, Conn. (WGGB/WSHM) - A Springfield middle schooler who died after drowning while on a field trip to High Meadow in North Granby, Connecticut on Wednesday afternoon has been identified.

Emari Marshall-Woodard was 14-years-old.

The Granby Police Department in Connecticut, releasing his identity Thursday afternoon in a release sent to our newsroom.

On Wednesday, High Meadow Day Camp confirmed an eighth grade student from Springfield, now identified as Marshall-Woodard, died after a medical emergency in the camp’s pool during field trips.

We also learned Wednesday, Kiley Middle School was one of the Springfield Schools visiting High Meadow.

However, at this time authorities have not yet named the school Marshall-Woodard attended.

Granby Police were called to the scene just before 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon.

A Simsbury Police officer working a private detail at the camp went to the pool area and began treatment. An ambulance then took the student to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Police said students who witnessed what happened were overwhelmed and emotional, and multiple ambulances from several towns responded to help — both for the emergency and to support others at the scene.

On Wednesday Springfield Public Schools confirming with us that one of their students was taken away by ambulance from the day camp.

High Meadow released a statement as well saying, “This afternoon an eighth-grade boy on a field trip suffered a medical emergency in the pool and was taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Tragically, we learned that he passed away this evening. All of us at High Meadow are deeply saddened, and are praying for his family, friends, and classmates.”

Community members also reacting to the tragedy on social media saying, “So sad. I pray for the family,” “My daughter was on this field trip and witnessed this sad situation today... My prayers goes out to the family of that boy.”

As this time the Granby Police Department in CT continues to investigate this incident.

Western Mass News will keep following this incident and bring you the latest details as soon as they’re confirmed.