Divers Recover Body Of Missing Teen At Oregon Ridge Park

COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- Baltimore County Police have identified the 13-year-old boy who drowned at a popular swimming location.

Divers recovered the body of 13-year-old Dennis Kemp of Laurel at Oregon Ridge Park on Friday.

Calls first came in around 12:30 p.m. that someone was drowning. Rescuers found the body in the lake almost three hours later.

Witnesses say they saw the boy in distress and watched him go under the water in a roped area where swimming is permitted. Several Oregon Ridge lifeguards were in the water searching for the boy as firefighters arrived.

The boy was recovered at 3:08 p.m. in about 45 feet of water. County Executive Kevin Kamenetz visited the park after the incident to speak with the victim's parents and the Oregon Park staff.

"This is a terrible tragedy, and on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore County I offer deepest sympathy to the victim's family and friends," he said.

A staffer at Cam Shonshine in Silver Spring released a statement on the incident.

"Today, a group of our campers arrived at Oregon Ridge Park shortly after noon. After being swim-tested by the staff at the park, one group of campers decided to swim out to the dock within the guarded swim area of the lake. As the swimmers were climbing onto the dock, one of the boys noticed another camper struggling and then go under. The boy did not survive. We are incredibly saddened by the situation and all our efforts are focused on helping the family of the victim and the other campers and their families."

Immediately after the drowning, county officials announced that the Oregon Ridge beach and the pavilion on the beach will be closed until further notice. People who have rented pavilions on the beach will be notified individually.

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