9-year-old girl dies after incident at Hersheypark wave pool

The amusement park is investigating what circumstance that led to the child's death at its Boardwalk water attraction, CEO John Law says.

Hersheypark Boardwalk Death
A 9-year-old boy died Thursday night after an incident in the wave pool at Hersheypark's Boardwalk water attraction. Amusement park officials says an investigation is underway to determine what led to his death.
Max W. Orenstein/Allentown Morning Call; MCT; Sipa USA

A 9-year-old girl died Thursday night in an incident at the wave pool within Hersheypark's Boardwalk water attraction, officials from the Pennsylvania amusement park said.

Details about how the girl died were not provided in a statement from the park, which said the girl was "tragically lost" despite rescue efforts. Her name has not been released.


LATEST: 9-year-old girl who died after rescue attempts at Hersheypark wave pool is identified


"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," Lawn said.

The girl was taken to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center after initial rescue efforts failed at the park.

Hersheypark said it is keeping the wave pool closed Friday. At the time of the incident, Lawn said there were 10 lifeguards on duty to monitor the wave pool. 

"Our hearts break for this child and the child's family," Lawn said. "We extend our deepest condolences for their loss."

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark features several waterslides, tubes, climbing structures and a large, 3-foot deep tidal pool.

Lawn said the amusement park is committed to the safety of its guests and will work to determine what led to the girl's death. The Dauphin County Coroner's Office and Derry Township police are assisting in the investigation. 

"We will thoroughly investigate this tragedy and honor the memory of this young guest," he said.


CORRECTION: This story has been updated to show that the child who died was a 9-year-old girl who has been identified as Sophia Subedi, of Harrisburg. Initial reports after the July 24 incident incorrectly stated that the child was a 9-year-old boy.