The death of a 9-year-old girl in a Hersehypark wave pool has officially been ruled an accidental drowning — despite earlier speculation she’d suffered a medical episode.
Sophia Subedi was pronounced dead at a hospital following the tragic mishap at the Pennsylvania water park’s popular Boardwalk attraction on Thursday last week.
“The cause of death was fresh water drowning and the manner of death was accidental,” the Dauphin County coroner said in a statement obtained by NBC 10.
The little girl hadn’t suffered any type of medical emergency in the lead up to her death, the coroner concluded.
Sophia Subedi died at Hersheypark last week.Honoring Sophia Subedi
Horrified witnesses had recalled seeing lifeguards dragging the “limp” third-grader from the wave pool after she appeared to have gone into distress and rushing to perform CPR for several minutes.
“A lifeguard began CPR on a gurney with intense focus, working for several minutes. When he stopped, clearly shaken, the crowd let out an audible sigh. Staff did their best to shield onlookers from the trauma, but the weight of the moment was overwhelming,” a traumatized witness told WGAL in the aftermath.
That witness reported hearing that it “may have been a medical emergency, not a typical drowning,” which the coroner’s report has now refuted.
The Shore wave pool at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark.NY Post
Sophia was ultimately pronounced dead at a hospital and authorities vowed to investigate the cause.
“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,” Hershey Entertainment CEO John Lawn said in a statement at the time.
“Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family. We extend our deepest condolences for their loss.”
The Boardwalk water park at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania.Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Sophia had only just finished third grade at North Side Elementary School in Harrisburg, according to her obituary.
“A bright, kind, and loving young girl, Sophia, brought joy and light to everyone who knew her,” the tribute read.
“A bright student with a love for reading, music, and painting, Sophia often spoke of her dreams to become a teacher — someone who could share knowledge and kindness with others the way her favorite teachers did with her.”
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