Young boy dies after incident at Knoebels swimming pool

It was the second drowning in the Crystal Pool in five years.

Aerial view of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.
Source/Facebook

Authorities in Locust Township, Pa. are investigating after an 8-year-old boy drowned Saturday at Knoebels Amusement Park in Northumberland County.

Police were called to the popular amusement park's Crystal Pool at approximately 3:21 p.m. on Saturday after the boy was pulled from shallow water. Park employees attempted to administer emergency first aid on the child.

The park announced the tragedy Saturday afternoon on its Facebook page.

"Today, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a young boy was found to be unresponsive in Knoebels' Crystal Pool. Emergency care was immediately administered by Knoebels' lifeguards and first aid team until he was transported by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville," the post read.

Circumstances surrounding the boy's death were not immediately available and his identity was not released. Locust Township Police Chief Allan Breach confirmed only that the boy was not from the immediate area.

Later on Saturday night, Knoebels provided an update on the situation.

"The Knoebel family and team members had been hoping and praying for the best possible outcome, but are saddened to have learned from local authorities that the young boy has passed away. Please join us in keeping the boy's family in your prayers."

The incident comes after Knoebels was again ranked the "Best Family Park" in the United States by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.

In July 2011, a 6-year-old boy drowned in the pool.