Heroic Attempt to Save Sister Ends in Tragedy for Ontario Family

A family in Ontario, Canada, is mourning the loss of two children who tragically drowned while attempting to save one another. Kayden Dodds, aged 15, and his 12-year-old sister, Joyclyn, both lost their lives in a harrowing incident near the Wabigoon River last week. The siblings, who had recently moved to the area, ventured out with cousins to explore their new surroundings, disregarding warnings about the dangers of the water.

According to their stepmother, Heather Dodds, the children were aware of their lack of swimming skills. She had previously cautioned them, saying, “You guys do not know how to swim yet. You are looking at swimming lessons this year. You’re not to be near the water unless an adult is with you.” Despite this, Joyclyn slipped into the river and began to struggle. In a desperate attempt to save his sister, Kayden jumped into the water, also unaware of how to swim.

The children’s mother, Stacey Grant, received the devastating news while at home. She described the moment she learned of their deaths, saying, “I replay the phone call in my head every day. I don’t get it. It doesn’t make any sense. It should never have happened.” A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses, highlighting the community’s support during this difficult time.

In a heartfelt tribute, Heather Dodds remembered Kayden and Joyclyn as vibrant and loving children. Kayden was an avid gamer who cherished his little sister, while Joyclyn had a contagious smile and an infectious sense of humor. “She was the type of girl that could walk into a room and light it up with her smile,” Dodds noted, adding that Joyclyn often quoted, “Ohana means family, and family never gets left behind.”

Launching a Water Safety Initiative

In the wake of this tragedy, the family has launched a new initiative called Water Wings, aimed at promoting water safety and providing swimming lessons for children. Heather Dodds expressed a deep sense of urgency regarding the need for swimming education, stating, “We didn’t have enough time to give them the necessary skills. Had they had those skills, maybe we would be looking at a different situation.”

The foundation seeks to raise awareness among families about the importance of teaching children how to swim, especially given the prevalence of water-related activities. “If your kids are young and don’t know how to swim, reach out. Reach out to Water Wings. Reach out to your local swimming clubs,” Dodds implored. “You don’t want to be in our position. You don’t want to ever feel what we feel.”

The tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical need for swimming education, particularly in communities with accessible bodies of water. The family hopes that by sharing their story, they can prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.