Teacher rescued from Lake Erie at Huntington Beach, Laura Recco, dies

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio - The teacher rescued from Lake Erie at Huntington Beach in Bay Village Monday morning has died, according to the Cuyahoga Medical Examiner's Office.

Laura Recco, 46, of Independence, was pronounced dead Wednesday morning.

The Positive Education Program issued the following statement regarding Monday’s accident at Huntington Beach:

"It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we report that our beloved colleague, Laura Recco, passed away this morning.

"Laura was one of our very finest teachers. Uniquely skilled at helping children build competencies, she was committed to helping every child know some joy in each day. She was deeply respected by her peers and was honored as PEP Hopewell’s Teacher-Counselor of the Year in 2006.

"This is a very difficult and painful time for all of us at PEP. We ask that you please respect our privacy during this period of grieving and mourning.

"We thank many in our community for their support and kindness and hope that people will continue to keep Laura’s family in their thoughts and prayers."

According to the Cleveland Metroparks, a group from PEP Hopewell Day Treatment Center was on the Lake Erie beach for a school trip before it officially opened Monday.

Recco, 9-year-old Diamond Harris, and 19-year-old lifeguard Christian Pesarchick were pulled from Lake Erie Monday morning.

The Positive Education Program said Recco noticed the student, Harris, being pulled out into the water, reached to bring the child to safety and was swept under the water. The beach was closed for the rest of the day Monday due to the weather conditions and rip currents.

Harris, Recco and Pesarchick were taken to St. John Westshore Hospital for treatment, and Harris was then transferred to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Pesarchick was treated and released Monday. Harris was discharged Wednesday.

Recco had been in the intensive care unit in critical condition.