The 9-year-old girl who died at a water park in Hersheypark last week has been identified and her cause of death revealed.
Sophia Subedi died on Thursday while visiting The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, a family spokesperson told WGAL.
Subedi had been swimming in the wave pool when a lifeguard realized she was in distress and pulled her from the water. He then performed CPR until first responders arrived on the scene.
They also performed life-saving efforts before Subedi was rushed to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
The Dauphin County coroner’s office on Monday night confirmed her cause of death to be accidental drowning.
“A bright, kind, and loving young girl, Sophia, brought joy and light to everyone who knew her,” according to the family spokesperson. “Her sudden loss has left our entire community in grief.”
Subedi recently moved with her family from Columbus, Ohio, to the Harrisburg area in 2022. She recently finished third grade at North Side Elementary School and was set to enter fourth grade in the upcoming school year.
“Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family,” Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company CEO John Lawn said said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences for their loss. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not release any personal details at this time.”
The water park area of Hersheypark features 16 water rides and pools, including “The Shore,” a 378,000-gallon wave pool with a depth of six feet in some places.
Hersheypark, which first opened its doors in 1907, is located about 95 miles west of Philadelphia and 15 miles east of Harrisburg. Subedi’s death marked the first time a guest has died at the park, according to Penn Live.
A 16-year-old maintenance worker, however, was killed in August 1977 when a roller coaster struck him while he was operating a track switch on the SooperDooperLooper.
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