Mother, daughter drown in Bear Lake trying to save young cousin
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BEAR LAKE — Police have released the identities of the woman and child who drowned in Bear Lake last night.
Jennifer Anne Lambourne, 37, and Brooklyn Mae Lambourne, 11, of South Jordan, Utah both died.
Investigators say Brooklyn was on an inflated water toy with her 8-year-old cousin on Bear Lake near Fish Haven. A sudden storm generated strong winds, which pushed the girls away from shore and further onto the lake.
Brooklyn’s mother, Jennifer Lambourne, and other family members went into the water to help the girls back to shore. At some point, the 8-year-old fell off the inflatable and into the water. When this child was struggling in the water, Brooklyn jumped into the water to help her cousin stay afloat. Other family members and people in the area also assisted in the rescue efforts.
At some point Brooklyn went under the water and did not surface. Jennifer reached the 8-year-old and worked to keep her afloat but Jennifer eventually went under the water.
The people rendering aid were able to get the 8 yr. old child and Jennifer back to shore.
Both were transported by Bear Lake County Ambulance Service to Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Efforts to revive Jennifer were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Personnel from the Bear Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Bear Lake Search & Rescue, Utah DNR/Bear Lake State Park, and Garden City Fire Dept. continued to search for Brooklyn. Her body was recovered around 7:00 p.m.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Jennifer’s husband, Josh, and their 8-year-old son Boston.