Hersheypark releases updated statement about child’s death
SARAH, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? SUSAN? THE CHILD DIED WHILE VISITING THE BOARDWALK WATER PARK OF THIS HERSHEY PARK. NOW YOU CAN SEE SOME PEOPLE ARE LINED UP ON THE SLIDES BEHIND ME, BUT AFTER JUST CHECKING THE PARK’S APP, WE KNOW THAT THE WAVE POOL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED. NOW, ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE THEY SAY THAT CHILD WAS BEING PULLED FROM LAST NIGHT. IN A STATEMENT, CEO JOHN LAWN SAID FROM THE MOMENT OUR LIFEGUARD TEAM RECOGNIZED THE CHILD IN DISTRESS, THEY PERFORMED IMMEDIATE RESCUE, FOLLOWED BY CONTINUOUS COORDINATED LIFESAVING EFFORTS BY LIFEGUARDS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL. ALTHOUGH THE RELEASE DOES NOT INDICATE WHERE THIS HAPPENED. AGAIN INSIDE THE WATER PARK OR EXACTLY WHEN THE DAUPHIN COUNTY CORONER TOLD ME WE SHOULD EXPECT MORE INFORMATION TO BE RELEASED LATER TODAY. HE SAID THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE ALL FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE NINE YEAR OLD CHILD WERE CONTACTED BEFORE PUBLISHING ANYTHING, AND HE ADMITTED THAT THE OFFICE HAD SOME TROUBLE IN DOING SO. BASED ON THE SCANNER SOUND, WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN, WE BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED SOMETIME AROUND 6 P.M. NOW. THERE IS A LOT OF SPECULATION ONLINE ABOUT HOW THIS CHILD DIED. HOWEVER, THE CORONER SAID THAT THEY ARE WORKING TO COMPARE THE CHILD’S MEDICAL RECORDS TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND IF THERE WERE ANY PAST HISTORIES BEFORE DETERMINING AN EXACT MANNER OF DEATH. NOW, THE DERRY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH HERSHEY PARK AND THE DAUPHIN COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE FOR THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PARK ALSO SAID THAT THEY PLAN TO CONDUCT AN INTERNAL
Hersheypark, the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office and Derry Township police are reviewing the death of a 9-year-old child that happened Thursday night at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.Friday, the park released another statement about the child’s death. We’ve posted it in its entirety below.Hersheypark death”We can confirm that the incident occurred at the wave pool within The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. The wave pool will remain closed today out of respect for the family and deep appreciation of our team members who worked so valiantly in their efforts to save the life of the guest.”Hersheypark places the highest priority on water safety at The Boardwalk, supported by an award-winning team of lifeguards trained and certified through Ellis & Associates (E&A). E&A is a leader in the aquatics industry and one of the premier trainers and certifiers of lifeguards in the country.”There were over 100 E&A-trained lifeguards in the Boardwalk at the time of the incident. There were 10 lifeguards specifically dedicated to the wave pool at the time of the incident. 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 life vests are also available to all of our guests.”Hersheypark employs 19 Certified Lifeguard Instructors and one Instructor Trainer to ensure all team members meet rigorous safety standards. This dedication has earned Hersheypark numerous accolades, recognizing consistent excellence in safety, risk management, and lifeguard performance through unannounced audits and evaluations.”NEWS ON DEMAND | Subscribe to WGAL’s YouTube ChannelSummary: Death at HersheyparkA 9-year-old child died after an incident at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark Thursday.Hersheypark’s lifeguards and medical staff performed life-saving efforts, but the child passed away at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn expressed condolences, announced an internal review, and pledged cooperation with authorities.A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted seeing a lifeguard perform CPR on the child after being pulled from the wave pool.The Boardwalk at Hersheypark includes 16 water attractions, such as slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.Hersheypark spans 121 acres in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
HERSHEY, Pa. —Hersheypark, the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office and Derry Township police are reviewing the death of a 9-year-old child that happened Thursday night at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.
Friday, the park released another statement about the child’s death. We’ve posted it in its entirety below.
Hersheypark death
“We can confirm that the incident occurred at the wave pool within The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. The wave pool will remain closed today out of respect for the family and deep appreciation of our team members who worked so valiantly in their efforts to save the life of the guest.
“Hersheypark places the highest priority on water safety at The Boardwalk, supported by an award-winning team of lifeguards trained and certified through Ellis & Associates (E&A). E&A is a leader in the aquatics industry and one of the premier trainers and certifiers of lifeguards in the country.
“There were over 100 E&A-trained lifeguards in the Boardwalk at the time of the incident. There were 10 lifeguards specifically dedicated to the wave pool at the time of the incident. 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 life vests are also available to all of our guests.
“Hersheypark employs 19 Certified Lifeguard Instructors and one Instructor Trainer to ensure all team members meet rigorous safety standards. This dedication has earned Hersheypark numerous accolades, recognizing consistent excellence in safety, risk management, and lifeguard performance through unannounced audits and evaluations.”
NEWS ON DEMAND | Subscribe to WGAL’s YouTube Channel
- A 9-year-old child died after an incident at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark Thursday.
- Hersheypark’s lifeguards and medical staff performed life-saving efforts, but the child passed away at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn expressed condolences, announced an internal review, and pledged cooperation with authorities.
- A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted seeing a lifeguard perform CPR on the child after being pulled from the wave pool.
- The Boardwalk at Hersheypark includes 16 water attractions, such as slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
- Hersheypark spans 121 acres in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
