116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Year after girl drowns on Cedar River, family and first responders talk about water safety
Zyah Thomas’ body still hasn’t been found
MOUNT VERNON — It was one of those steamy July days when the only way to cool down is to go swimming.
Natalie and Lenny Thomas, their six children, ages 6 months to 11 years, and Natalie’s aunt and uncle visiting from England drove to Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon to swim in the Cedar River.
“We felt a bit of a current in the river, but, at this point, all was going well and we felt refreshed by the cool waters of the river,” said Fern Potter, of Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, England.
Everything changed in an instant when Zyah, 11, and Isaiah, 7, ran into deeper water and were suddenly swept up by an invisible current. Potter and another woman tried to reach the children, but a drop-off left them both without footing.
Potter grabbed Isaiah, who was closer, and pushed him toward the shore. Zyah was treading water as she waited for help when her great-aunt saw her face for the last time.
“She just went under and that was it,” Potter said. “We never saw her again.”
Zyah — owner of dog, Pixie; maker of Roblox videos; and nature lover — drowned July 13, 2022. Despite rescue teams using boats, helicopters, dogs and sonar to try to find the girl’s body, she has never been found.
Family members and first responders gathered Thursday to remember Zyah on the anniversary of her death and talk about ways to prevent future drownings on Iowa waterways.
Preventing drownings
About 33 Iowans drown each year, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported. Drowning is the leading cause of death by unintentional injury of young children.
Common causes of drowning are failure to wear life jackets, lack of swimming ability, alcohol use, and lack of supervision while swimming, the DNR reported. Swimming in rivers presents additional hazards because conditions change, depending on the water level.
The Thomas family had swum safely in the Cedar River just a week before Zyah drowned, but in between the visits there had been a heavy rain and the river flow was much faster, said Nate Hoogeveen, DNR river programs coordinator.
The Thomas children were not wearing life jackets July 13, but the older children were strong swimmers and they had adult supervision, Potter said.
Soon after Zyah’s death, the family reached out to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to seek changes that could make Palisades-Kepler safer. One change was to post signs advising against swimming. Previous signs only warned about the current.
Clive and Fern Potter also have asked the state to add life rings at areas where people might swim.
The DNR is considering this change, which could be challenging because of the length of shoreline and uncertainty of where to place the life rings, attached to a post by rope, so they could be useful, depending on the water level of the river, Ranger Lucas Wagner said.
The DNR is planning several changes to the Cedar near Palisades-Kepler, including removing part of a lowhead dam nearby and changing the channel to make the area safer for recreation while not affecting fish and other animal species, Wagner said.
Another drowning
Zyah’s death was one of two drownings on the Cedar River last year.
Erik Spaw, who worked for the city of Cedar Rapids Water Division, went missing May 7, 2022. His truck was found submerged in the river just upstream of the Edgewood Road Bridge.
A seven-month search yielded no clues, but two hunters found Spaw’s body in December about 11 miles from the truck.
Search and Rescue search the Cedar River at Palisades-Kepler State Park on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Search crews responded to the area after an eleven year old Cedar Rapids boy went into the water and began to struggle Wednesday. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Park Ranger Lucas Wagner speaks to a crowd of first-responders, local law enforcement and those close to the Zyah Thomas drowning during an event by the DNR at Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mt.Vernon, Iowa on Thursday, July 13, 2023. On the year anniversary of Zyah’s drowning her body has yet to be recovered. Wagner expressed his sadness on Zyah’s case and encourages the public and law enforcement to be vigilant if they discover remains along the river path. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
A sign warns of dangerous currents on the Cedar River at Palisades-Kepler State Park on Thursday, July 14, 2022. Search crews responded to the area after an eleven year old Cedar Rapids boy went into the water and began to struggle Wednesday. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Spaw’s mother told The Gazette her son, 54, had diabetes and had been having trouble regulating his insulin intake. She believed he may have passed out from low-blood sugar and driven into the river
The DNR and first responders ask Eastern Iowans to continue to watch for human remains that might be those of Zyah. To report tips, call Palisades-Kepler at (319) 895-6039 or call 911, Wagner said.
Ways to reduce drowning risks
Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Get skills — swimming lessons, boating instruction or mentoring
Stay sober
Expect the unexpected, especially on rivers where sudden drop-offs or debris can hinder safety
Avoid river hazards such as dams or fallen logs
Watch out for each other
Source: Iowa DNR
Drowning facts
• In Iowa, drowning is the third leading cause of “injury death” for those under age 14. For every child drowning death, another five receive emergency care for non-fatal submersion injury.
• Drowning causes more deaths for children ages one to 4 than any other cause except birth defects.
• On average, 33 Iowans drown annually.
• 88 percent of child drownings occur with at least one adult present.
• More than half of those who survive a near drowning will require hospitalization. Near-drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disability such as memory problems, learning disabilities or a permanent vegetative state.
Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com
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