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Funeral tomorrow for R.I. girl who died in N.H.

07:45 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 13, 2008

NORTH SMITHFIELD — A funeral is planned tomorrow for a 7-year-old Rhode Island girl who died in a flash flood at a New Hampshire campground last week.

Kaitlyn Ferra, of North Smithfield, died last Thursday when two brooks merged into a raging torrent and swept her family’s SUV downstream in Ashland, N.H.

The Rev. Maurice Brindamour identified Kaitlyn as the victim yesterday. He said a funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, the family’s Woonsocket parish.

Burial will follow at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery in North Smithfield. Calling hours will be today from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Holt Funeral Home in Woonsocket.

The accident happened after a severe downpour. Witnesses say the girl’s father jumped into the water, trying to save his family. His wife and 5-year-old son survived by clinging to a tree.

Kaitlyn was born in Providence and was a student at North Smithfield Elementary School. She played soccer, and enjoyed swimming and gymnastics, according to her obituary.

The family is asking that contributions be made to the Kaitlyn Ferra Memorial Fund, c/o Citizen’s Bank.

—By projo.com staff writer Brandie Jefferson, with Associated Press reports

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