A drama occurred in a Pennsylvania water park: a 9 -year -old child lost his life after being spotted in distress. Despite a rapid rescue intervention, he could not be saved. The park, deeply affected, opened an investigation.
Aquatic parks, often considered as haven of family pleasure, are in shock after two fatal accidents that occurred a few days apart. This Tuesday, July 22, a 21 -month -old German girl died after a fall from a slide in a park on the Croatian island in Rab. Worn in his father’s arms, the child would have slipped and fell heavily at more than 3.5 meters high. Despite the rapid rescue intervention, she did not survive her injuries. An icing drama that moved all Europe.
Barely two days later, it was in the United States that another tragic incident occurred. Even if summer is supposed to be synonymous with joy and family relaxation, he took a dramatic turn in Hersheypark, famous Pennsylvania amusement park. A 9 -year -old boy died after an incident in the aquatic part of the park, called ” The Boardwalk ». The child was seen in distress in the water by the surveillance team, which immediately sparked the emergency procedures. Emergency transported to the Milton S. Hershey medical center, the child could not be saved despite the joint efforts of rescuers, first stakeholders and doctors.
A renowned park, shaken by the death of a 9 year old boy
According to the media ABCthe incident took place within the aquatic complex « The Boardwalk at Hersheypark ». This one offers 16 aquatic attractions. Including a wave swimming pool over 1.4 million liters and several spectacular slides. He is also one of Pennsylvania’s most emblematic parks. The precise attraction where the incident occurred has not been revealed. Out of respect for the family, the identity of the child was also not communicated.
Designed to accommodate families, the park nevertheless has a solid safety device with experienced supervisors, fast alert devices, and coordination with local emergency services. Yet that could not prevent the death of this young boy. A first fatal incident involving a visitor since 1977 in this park, opened in 1906. The CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, John Lawn, spoke in a statement imbued with emotion: “We have a broken heart for this child and his family”. “As soon as our team of rescuers spotted that a child was in distress, they carried out an immediate rescue”John Lawn said in a statement without the boy is saved.
Security questioned despite the protocols in place
The CEO promised an in -depth internal investigation, in addition to that carried out by the local authorities.“The security of our customers has always been our top priority”he said. The objective is to analyze each stage of the incident day. Surveillance of the area, speed of intervention, and access to care. The establishment also offered psychological support to affected employees. The results of the survey could lead to adjustments or reinforcements of protocols already in place, in order to prevent other similar dramas in the future.
If the rescue intervention was rapid and coordinated, the death of the child relaunches the debate on safety systems in the water parks. These structures generally have strict measures: trained staff, clear signaling, supervised areas. However, as the two accidents of the week have proven, zero risk does not exist. Especially when it comes to young children.
A message from our CEO pic.twitter.com/tiuzM3SfzA
— Hersheypark (@Hersheypark) July 25, 2025