EVANS, N.Y. -- A woman is dead and two girls are in the hospital after going into Lake Erie near Wendt Beach in Evans.
A first responder at the scene said two 11-year-olds were in the water when adults lost sight of them. Several people jumped in to help and two adults got caught in the lake. One of them, a woman, died.
The girls were taken to Women's and Children's Hospital and are in serious condition. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz wrapped up a news conference where officials told him they believe the woman who died was the mother of at least one of those girls.
"This is a terrible tragedy that should not have occurred. Wendt Beach Park is a non-swimming park. There are signs there that indicate that. There are no lifeguards on duty," said Poloncarz.
There is no word on the identities of any of the victims.