Child from Wildwood dies on canoe trip

The Missouri Water Patrol reported that a 4-year-old girl from Wildwood drowned over Memorial Day weekend after the canoe in which she was riding capsized in the Meramec River.

Authorities said that about 4:20 p.m. on Sun., May 24, Margaret “Margot” Olivia Murphy, 4 ½, was in a canoe on a float trip in Bourbon, Mo., under the Campbell Bridge One adult and five children were in the canoe.

Officials said that the canoe was pushed against a log jam because of the strong current and the canoe tipped over. The adult was able to grab two of the children and swim to shore. Two of the other children were rescued by other adults at the scene.

Murphy was pinned between the canoe and the log jam, officials said. Authorities recovered Murphy’s body about 4:40 p.m.

Her parents are Patrick and Debra Murphy and she has four siblings: Molly, Torin, Cameron and Mick.

Visitation is set for 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday (May 26) at Schrader Funeral Home in Ballwin. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wed., May 27 at The Old Cathedral (209 Walnut Street in St. Louis). The burial is private.

Contributions may be made to St. Alban Roe Catholic Church, 2001 Shepard Road, Wildwood, MO 63038 or to Wildwood Christian Academy.