HERSHEY, Pa. (WHTM) – Police have released their review of an incident at the Hersheypark waterpark that led to the death of a 9-year-old girl.
Derry Township Police say their investigation into the July 24 death of Sophia Subedi determined there was no criminal activity and that the cause was accidental freshwater drowning.
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The Dauphin County Coroner’s office previously said Subedi died from freshwater drowning at The Boardwalk’s wave pool known as The Shore. The coroner also reported that she did “not have a medical event that caused the drowning.”
Police noted in their review that the number of people in the 378,000 gallon wave pool was “significantly less than its designed maximum capacity.”
Police say nearby witnesses and lifeguards “responded promptly, initiating rescue and resuscitation efforts within seconds of noticing Sophia’s distress. Police say safety standards were also upheld by Hersheypark at the time.
Who regulates Hersheypark’s waterpark, wave pool after child’s drowning death?
According to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, The Boardwalk employs an “award-winning team of lifeguards” who meet “rigorous safety standards.”
“There were 10 lifeguards specifically dedicated to the wave pool at the time of the incident,” said Quinn Bryner, Director of Public Relations for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. “The specific lifeguards stationed at the wave pool received the highest level of training and certification from E&A, known as Special Facility Training, which includes deep-water lifeguarding, Basic Life Support, AED use, supplemental oxygen support, CPR, and First Aid. Additionally, as part of Hersheypark’s commitment to water safety, complimentary lifevests are also available to all of our guests.”
Jown Lawn, the CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, said last week that a “thorough internal review” will be conducted into the incident.
According to Tilak Niroula, Chairman of the Board for the Bhutanese Community of Harrisburg, Subedi was born in the Mount Carmel neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, and had lived in Harrisburg since 2022, recently completing 3rd grade at North Side Elementary School in the Central Dauphin School District.
A funeral service for Subedi was held on Wednesday in the Harrisburg area.
“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,” police said Friday.
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