9-year-old girl dies in Seneca County crash

A 9-year-old girl died following a one-car crash Friday evening in Covert, Seneca County.

According to the Seneca County Sheriff's Office, Ellamae McLaughlin, 9, died from her injuries after being taken to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca. The crash occurred just after 5:30 p.m. Friday, when Kymbra M. McLaughlin, 45, of Ithaca was driving north on Route 89 near Frontenac Road in Covert.

McLaughlin drove off the east side of the road, struck a culvert and several trees before the car careened down a steep embankment and landed in a small body of water, deputies said. McLaughlin suffered a severe hand injury and was also taken to Cayuga Medical Center for treatment.

Deputies said two other passengers, both 12-year-old girls, suffered minor injuries and were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment.

Ellamae was a fourth grade student at South Seneca Elementary School in Interlaken. A school crisis team met over the weekend to prepare for the return of students on Monday following winter break. The school district state that counseling staff is available this week "for those most closely affected by the grief we all share at the news."

Deputies said that rescue efforts were "extremely challenging" and required rope rescue teams. Trumansburg Public Information Officer Lt. Alix Gresov said the victims were trapped and that steep terrain, cold temperatures and moving water "added to the complexity of the call.”

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lt. Timothy Thompson of the Seneca County Sheriff's Office at (315) 220-3449.

Includes reporting by Kate Collins of The Ithaca Journal.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 9-year-old girl dies in Seneca County NY crash