The 9-year-old child who passed away following being pulled from the wave pool at PennsylvaniaA Hersheypark has been identified as a young girl from Harrisburg.
Although her name has not been made public, community leaders have stated that she was a cherished member of the local Bhutanese community, “out of respect for the family.”
The young girl was “in distress” in the wave pool prior to her death, according to officials.
“Our hearts are heavy for this child and the child’s family. We offer our most sincere sympathy for their loss. In consideration of their privacy, we will not disclose any personal information at this moment,” stated a message from John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company.
The famous amusement park issued a statement on Saturday, praising the heroic actions of its employees and offering sympathy to the mourning family.
‘We can confirm that the incident took place at the wave pool located in The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. The wave pool will stay closed today as a sign of respect for the family and to show our deep gratitude to the team members who worked bravely to save the guest’s life,’ anupdated statement from Hersheypark reads.
Hersheypark stated that more than 100 certified lifeguards were present at the park during the unfortunate event, including “10 lifeguards who were exclusively assigned to the wave pool” attraction.
More than 100 lifeguards who had completed E&A training were present at the Boardwalk during the incident. Ten lifeguards were exclusively assigned to the wave pool at that time.
“The lifeguards specifically assigned to the wave pool underwent the most advanced training and certification provided by E&A, referred to as Special Facility Training. This program covers deep-water rescue, Basic Life Support, AED operation, supplemental oxygen administration, CPR, and First Aid. Moreover, as part of Hersheypark’s dedication to ensuring water safety, free life jackets are also offered to every visitor,” the park stated.
Currently, the young girl—characterized as “full of promise, innocence, and joy”—is being honored by residents of her neighborhood.
‘At only nine years old, she was brimming with potential, purity, and happiness – a beacon in the lives of everyone who knew her,’ Tilak Niroula, chairman of the Board for the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, stated on thegroup’s Facebook page.
“Her unexpected and sorrowful passing has created a profound emptiness in our hearts and within the community she was so beloved by. Our whole community is mourning with the family during this extremely challenging period,” he added.
It is impossible to fully express the extent of our sorrow, yet we are together in our grief and dedicated to being with the family through love, prayer, and assistance.
The young woman was at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark on Thursday, July 24, when she experienced ‘difficulty in the water,’ as stated by the CEO of the park’s parent company.
“From the moment our lifeguard team noticed a child was in trouble, they carried out an immediate rescue, then continued with coordinated life-saving actions by our lifeguards, on-site first responders, and medical staff,” Lawn stated.
Following the efforts of park employees to save her life, the young girl was transported to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she was declared deceased.
Nevertheless, it is still uncertain at this moment the cause of the child’s death.
The Derry Township Police Department and the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office stated they are still looking into the event, while park officials mentioned they will “fully support” the process and “carry out an internal examination” on their part.
The Derry Township Police Department is supporting Hersheypark and the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office in their investigation regarding the passing of a 9-year-old child at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark on the night of July 24, 2025.
We are currently in the initial phase of this procedure, and we are striving to collect all the details regarding the incident.
“Our thoughts and emotions go out to the family and loved ones of this young individual, who left us far too early,” stated the Derry Township Police Department.
The passing of the 9-year-old girl represents the park’s first death since 1977.
The park’s Boardwalk section includes 16 water facilities, among them a wave pool named ‘The Shore’ that holds 378,000 gallons of water and has a depth of six feet.
Read more
