11-Year-Old Girl Who Tried to Save Boy, 12, After He Fell Through Ice in New York Park Dies

An 11-year-old girl who was taken to a hospital in critical condition after attempting to save her 12-year-old classmate's life when he fell through the surface of an icy upstate New York lake has died, authorities said.

"The Albany Police Department extends its heartfelt condolences and support to the families and friends of both children during this difficult time," the Albany Police Department said in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Authorities initially said the 11-year-old girl was critically injured after she and a 12-year-old boy fell through the ice in Washington Park Lake on Saturday, Dec. 7. The boy was ultimately found dead at the scene.

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According to a news release shared on Facebook on Sunday. Dec. 8, police officers and firefighters responded to the incident at around 4:30 p.m., and the 12-year-old boy's body was recovered from the water about three hours later.

"Through the investigation, it is believed that the 12-year-old boy attempted to walk north across the lake towards the lake house and fell through the ice," police added.

"It is then believed that the 11-year-old female observed the boy fall through the ice," according to the department, "and, in an attempt to help, followed the same path of travel across the lake, where she also fell through the ice."

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Police didn't name the two children due to their age. School officials said both were students at North Albany Middle School.

North Albany Middle School Principal Andrea Piper issued a statement on Dec. 10 updating the community about the 11-year-old's death.

“With support from the district and clinicians from Northern Rivers, our teachers and staff have talked with our students this week about this terrible tragedy and offered emotional support to any student in need,” Piper said.

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“We will continue to support our students, and each other as a school community, as we all grieve and process,” his statement continued.

PEOPLE reached out to North Albany Middle School for comment on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

On Dec. 8, City School District of Albany Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said that their "hearts go out to the families of these students at this incredibly difficult time."

He added, "This is a terrible tragedy and we are grieving as a school community.”

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