Heroic sacrifice: Mackenzie Cornell's tragic attempt to save sister

Mackenzie Cornell was only 11 years old. The young girl drowned while trying to rescue her younger sister Mackenna, who had fallen into the deep end of the pool at the Quality Inn hotel in Ohio, USA. No lifeguard was on duty at the pool during the tragedy.

A horror unfolded at the pool of the Quality Inn hotel. Eleven-year-old Mackenzie was attending a birthday party when she noticed her nine-year-old sister struggling for her life in the water.

Scioto County Sheriff's Deputy and Porter Township Rescue Squad members were alerted and arrived at the scene, where witnesses provided first aid to the girls.

Mackenna's vital functions were restored. A heroic fight was underway to save Mackenzie.

Despite the efforts of medical personnel, they could not save the young girl. She was transported to the Southern Ohio Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Helen Cornell, the girl's aunt, told station WOWK: "Her little sister went into the deep end of the pool and couldn’t swim very well and her big sister went to save her and she ultimately died. There’s no greater love than giving herself for her sister."

On the hotel's website, a virtual tour of the swimming pool area includes information about the lack of a lifeguard.

Mackenzie was a fourth-grade student at Bloom Vernon Primary School, where a vigil was held in her honour on Monday.

Teachers and friends remember Mackenzie as a special and loving girl. "She was an absolute sweetheart. Very loving and kind," said teacher Kristi Davis.

Another teacher, Chad Benner, added: "every time she came into class she had a smile on her face and very soft spoken."

Principal Sandy Smith remembered Mackenzie as "a sweetheart of a little girl' who was 'loved by so many."

She enjoyed everything outside, always following her grandmother out to the garden and helping with anything going on outside. She was funny, brilliant, and enjoyed drawing. Most of all she loved her sister, her cats, and dogs. She was the happiest when helping others - wrote her loved ones in the obituary for Mackenzie Cornell.

The 11-year-old is survived by her parents, Chris Cornell, grandparents who raised her, Lawrence and Bonnie Cornell, and her brother Jacob and sister Mackenna.

Mackenzie Cornell's funeral will be held on Saturday at 1 PM (GMT) at Bloom Vernon Primary School.