Calgary storm pond drowning: Family mourns 7-year-old Drihanna Matamona and urges safety changes
Calgary storm pond drowning leaves a family grieving and calls growing for safety measures around Legacy pond as community gathers in memory.
A seven-year-old girl, Drihanna Matamona, died after entering a Legacy storm pond in Calgary on Sunday, prompting grief from family members and renewed calls for safety improvements around neighbourhood water features. The Calgary storm pond drowning has left relatives and neighbours searching for answers while they prepare a memorial gathering at the pond and a funeral in the coming days. Family members describe Drihanna as a bright, affectionate child whose presence brought joy to those around her, and they are now pressing for steps that could prevent similar tragedies.
Family remembers Drihanna Matamona
Relatives say Drihanna was seven years old and full of curiosity, with a love of drawing, writing and solving puzzles. Her godmother, Ninon Ignoumba, and aunt, Gloria Massengo, recalled a child who connected easily with others despite being autistic and non-verbal.
Ignoumba described Drihanna as someone whose presence was immediately felt in a room and whose gestures — a hand held out to invite play, a patient touch — revealed a warm personality. Massengo said Drihanna was always seeking companionship and showed an instinct for bringing people together.
Family members are trying to hold on to memories as they cope with the sudden loss, saying daily routines have been shattered and the emotional impact has been acute. They have spoken about the girl’s ability to bring laughter and light into ordinary moments, and how those memories sustain them as they plan memorial arrangements.
Timeline of Sunday’s incident
According to the family, Drihanna left her home on Sunday afternoon and went to a nearby storm pond in the Legacy neighbourhood. Her father had stepped into the garage to retrieve something from the vehicle and realized she was missing; by the time he located her in the water, it was too late.
Relatives said Drihanna’s mother was at work when she received the call that changed the family’s life, and that emergency services were unable to revive the child. The precise timeline of rescue efforts and emergency response is being reviewed by authorities while the family focuses on funeral preparations.
The circumstances as described by relatives underline how quickly such incidents can unfold, and they have reinforced the family’s belief that prevention measures around storm ponds need to be examined. Investigations into the event are expected to clarify timelines and any contributing factors.
Community response and memorial at the Legacy pond
Neighbours and members of the local community have gathered items and tributes at the edge of the pond, creating a growing memorial that family members say demonstrates broad support. The displays include flowers, drawings and notes that reflect personal connections residents felt to Drihanna and her family.
A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family with funeral costs, household bills and immediate needs while they grieve, and donations have been contributed by people who knew the child as well as those moved by the tragedy. Organizers of the fundraiser say the goal is to ease financial burdens so relatives can focus on mourning and memorial arrangements.
The family is inviting the community to gather at the pond on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 5 p.m. to remember Drihanna, to support one another and to honor her memory. They say the event will be a time for neighbours, friends and strangers who feel connected to the family’s loss to come together in solidarity.
Calls for safety measures around storm ponds
Family members have urged the City of Calgary to consider physical safety improvements at the Legacy pond, including fencing around water features that sit adjacent to children’s play areas. Relatives emphasized that a protective barrier could reduce the risk of children accessing water unsupervised and could prevent similar tragedies.
“Children can get into danger in seconds,” said a family member, underscoring the speed at which accidents near open water can occur. The family framed their request as a plea to prevent other parents from experiencing the kind of grief they are now living through.
Advocates and neighbours who have spoken with the family voiced support for a review of storm pond safety provisions, suggesting measures such as improved signage, accessible supervision zones, and community education about water hazards. The family said they want authorities to take tangible steps rather than leaving the incident as an isolated tragedy.
Support systems and practical needs for the grieving family
Relatives described the parents as devastated and having difficulty eating or sleeping in the days following Drihanna’s death. Friends and extended family members have worked to provide emotional support and help with day-to-day responsibilities while funeral plans take shape.
The GoFundMe campaign is intended to cover immediate costs including funeral expenses and household bills, with donors contributing to ease the financial strain that often follows an unexpected death. Organizers and relatives have expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity and said those funds will help the family focus on healing.
Local community groups and faith leaders have offered counselling resources and practical assistance to the family, and neighbours have coordinated meal deliveries and childcare for siblings. Family members said these gestures have been a small comfort during an otherwise overwhelming time.
Public safety conversations and next steps for the neighbourhood
Residents in Legacy and nearby areas say the drowning has prompted broader conversations about how neighbourhood design interfaces with child safety, particularly where recreational spaces are located near stormwater infrastructure. Parents and community leaders have begun to discuss potential interim measures that could be implemented quickly, alongside longer-term planning changes.
Some neighbours advocated for the installation of temporary barriers or heightened fencing near playground-adjacent ponds, while others suggested targeted outreach to raise public awareness about keeping young children close near water. Community meetings are being considered to let residents voice concerns and propose solutions directly to municipal officials.
The family and their supporters have expressed a clear preference for preventative action rather than prolonged debate, urging the city to prioritize protective measures that could avert future losses. Their message has been consistent: if modest interventions can prevent one family from enduring similar pain, they are worth pursuing.
A community that has gathered to mourn and support one another now looks ahead to memorial services and conversations about safety, while the family of seven-year-old Drihanna Matamona continues to grieve a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
