9-year-old dies at Hersheypark's The Boardwalk water park: 'Our deepest condolences'
Officials said lifeguards attempted life-saving efforts after noticing the child was in distress at The Boardwalk, the park's themed water attraction.
"Tonight, a nine-year-old guest was tragically lost at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark," Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn said in a statement.
"From the moment our lifeguard team recognized that a child was in distress, they performed an immediate rescue, followed by continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts by our lifeguards, on-site first responders, and medical personnel," he continued.
The child was transported to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and was pronounced dead. The cause of death was not immediately known.
"Our hearts break for this child and the child's family," Lawn said. "We extend our deepest condolences for their loss."
Lawn did not disclose the attraction where the incident happened. He also did not reveal the child's identity or any personal details out of respect for the family's privacy.
The Boardwalk features 16 different water attractions, including the "Whitecap Racer", a mat racing water slide, and "The Shore," a 378,000-gallon wave pool.
Lawn said the company will conduct an internal review and cooperate fully with authorities.
He said that the safety of guests has always been the highest priority.
"To every family who visits Hersheypark, please know this: your safety and well-being drive every decision we make," Lawn said. "We will thoroughly investigate this tragedy and honor the memory of this young guest by continuing our focus on ensuring the safety of our guests at Hersheypark."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Death of 9-year-old girl at Hersheypark ruled accidental, no criminal activity found
The death of a 9-year-old girl who drowned at Hersheypark has been ruled accidental, with no criminal activity found on the part of the park's employees, according to police. Sophia Subedi drowned on July 24 in the wave pool at the Pennsylvania theme park, the Derry Township Police Department said. A review by police concluded that the park upheld safety standards and that the number of people in the wave pool at the time was "significantly less than it's designed maximum capacity," according to a Derry Township Police statement released on Friday. MORE: 9-year-old dies at Hersheypark's water park in Pennsylvania Hersheypark had 10 lifeguards working specifically at the wave pool when Sophia drowned, the park said last month. "Witnesses and lifeguards responded promptly, initiating rescue and resuscitation efforts within seconds of noticing Sophia's distress," police said. "The Derry Township Police Department, along with the witnesses, Hersheypark staff, and first responders who attempted to save Sophia, extend their sincere condolences to her family and friends, as well as the Bhutanese community, during this difficult time." "Our hearts break for this child and the child's family. We extend our deepest condolences for their loss," John Lawn, Hersheypark's CEO, in a statement on July 24, adding that park-goers' "safety and well-being drive every decision we make."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Death of 9-year-old girl who drowned at Hersheypark ruled an accident
A Pennsylvania coroner has ruled a 9-year-old girl's drowning death at Hersheypark earlier in July an accident. "The cause of death was fresh water drowning and the manner of death was accidental," the Dauphin County coroner said in a statement, noting the child, identified by family as Sophia Subedi, did not have a medical event that led to her death. The incident occurred on Thursday, July 24 at the Boardwalk, a park attraction featuring water slides, a lazy river and a 387,000-gallon wave pool. Lifeguards responded to girl in distress There were 100 lifeguards at the Boardwalk at the time, the park said in a news release, including 10 lifeguards tasked with watching over the wave pool. Lifeguards, first responders and medics noticed the girl was in distress and began performing life-saving measures, the company's CEO, John Lawn, said in a written statement. A witness at the scene told WGAL one of the lifeguards attempted CPR on her while staff members tried to conceal the traumatic incident from parkgoers. The girl was taken to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, where she was pronounced deceased. It is the first confirmed guest fatality in the park's 118-year history. Girl remembered as 'kind and loving' A member of the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, the organization said she will be remembered as "a bright, kind and loving young girl," according to a Facebook post published Monday, July 28. "Sophia brought joy and light to everyone who knew her," the group's statement said. "Her sudden loss has left our entire community in grief." The child had been living in Harrisburg since 2022 and had recently completed the third grade. Her family moved to the area from Ohio, where she was born in 2016. Her funeral service is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 30 at the Jesse H Geigle Funeral Home in Harrisburg, the group's statement said. GoFundMe set up to help family A GoFundMe page has been started to help the girl's family with funeral expenses. As of the afternoon of July 29, it has raised over $21,000 out of a $30,000 goal. Additionally, her family has said they would like to put some of the funds toward creating a meaningful tribute. Sophia had dreams of becoming a teacher and loved reading, music and painting, the page states. "We hope to turn this loss into a legacy — perhaps by supporting children's safety initiatives, advocating for awareness, or creating a small space in her name where kids and families can feel safe, loved and connected," the GoFundMe states. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hersheypark death ruled an accident; family mourns 9-year-old girl
Fox News
3 days ago
- Fox News
Former DEA agent warns tourists about Mexico's hidden dangers: 'It's not safe just because it looks safe'
Former DEA special agent Michael Brown warns that Mexico's popular tourist zones may look safe, but behind the beaches and resorts, cartels and predators pose serious threats to unsuspecting travelers.
