Photo: Bruce Yuanyue Bi / The Image Bank Unreleased / Getty Images
Pennsylvania police have concluded their investigation into the tragic death of nine-year-old Sophia Subedi at Hersheypark, determining it was an accidental drowning with no evidence of wrongdoing by the park's staff. The incident occurred on July 24 in the wave pool at the Boardwalk water park section of Hersheypark, located in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
According to ABC News, the Derry Township Police Department's review confirmed that the park maintained proper safety standards. At the time of the incident, there were ten lifeguards specifically assigned to the wave pool, and the number of visitors was significantly below the pool's maximum capacity. Witnesses and lifeguards responded promptly, initiating rescue efforts within seconds of noticing Sophia's distress.
Sophia was transported to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The Dauphin County Coroner's Office confirmed the cause of death as accidental freshwater drowning, with no underlying medical conditions contributing to the incident.
Hersheypark's CEO, John Lawn, expressed condolences to Sophia's family, emphasizing the park's commitment to safety. In addition, a spokesperson from Hersheypark highlighted the rigorous training and certification of their lifeguards, who are equipped with skills in deep-water lifeguarding, CPR, and other emergency procedures.
Sophia Subedi, described as a "bright, kind, and loving young girl," was born in Columbus, Ohio, and lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she attended North Side Elementary School. Her funeral was held on July 30 in Harrisburg, and a GoFundMe page was created to support her family.