Girl recovered from Big Raccoon Creek at Mansfield dies

Mansfield Covered Bridge over Big Raccoon Creek

MANSFIELD -- An eight-year-old girl who died after she was pulled from Big Raccoon Creek near the Mansfield Covered Bridge had apparently drowned, a coroner said Monday.

Clay County Coroner Nick French identified the girl as Athena Welch of Brazil, who died Sunday after she was taken to St. Vincent Clay Hospital in Brazil.

He listed her death as accidental, with drowning as the probable cause of her death.

Conservation officers responded to a call Sunday afternoon of a young swimmer who had disappeared in the water near the Mansfield Covered Bridge in southeastern Parke County.

The incident took place at approximately 1:34 p.m. when witnesses reported the girl struggling in Big Raccoon Creek before going under the surface.

Conservation Officers and multiple other first responders arrived at the scene and recovered Welch, who was transported to St. Vincent Clay Hospital at Brazil in critical condition.

Parke County Sheriff’s Department, Rockville City Police Department, Parke County Emergency Medical Service, Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department, Air Evac Lifeteam and Indiana State Police assisted at the initial scene.