A 9-year-old child has died following a tragic incident at The Boardwalk, the water park section of Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. This marks the first fatality at the amusement park since 1977, when a 16-year-old employee lost his life after being struck by a rollercoaster train during maintenance work, according to the New York Post. The child was pulled from the water by lifeguards and on-site first responders and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet disclosed the child’s identity or the exact circumstances leading to the incident.
Eyewitness recounts the incident
An eyewitness, who had just entered the park with family amid soaring 92-degree temperatures, described the heartbreaking scene. According to the witness, the child appeared limp as they were pulled from the water, which led to an immediate response from lifeguards and security staff.
Lifeguards quickly cleared the area, blowing whistles and evacuating the wave pool. One lifeguard began administering CPR on a gurney with what the witness described as “intense focus.” The attempt lasted several minutes, as onlookers watched in stunned silence. Eye witness said, “Lifeguards blew their whistles, evacuating everyone, and within moments, staff and security rushed to help. A lifeguard began CPR on a gurney with intense focus, working for several minutes. When he stopped, clearly shaken, the crowd let out a long sigh. Staff did their best to shield onlookers from the trauma, but the weight of the moment was overwhelming.”
Park staff made efforts to shield the scene from public view, attempting to spare families nearby from witnessing the distressing situation. While official details regarding the child’s condition and the nature of the emergency have not been released, some accounts suggest the incident may have been a medical emergency rather than a typical drowning. Regardless, the event has left visitors deeply shaken.
“Normally after a day at Hersheypark, I come home tired,” the witness shared. “But last night, I couldn’t sleep. The image of that child, and the heartbreak of their family, is something I’ll never forget.”
Statement from CEO
John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, addressed the tragedy in a statement issued Thursday night. “Tonight, a nine-year-old guest was tragically lost at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark,” he said. “To every family that visits Hersheypark, please know this: your safety and well-being drive every decision we make.”
He further added the company’s commitment to safety, saying, “We will thoroughly investigate this tragedy and honor the memory of this young guest by continuing our focus on ensuring the safety of our guests at Hersheypark.” “Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family. We extend our deepest condolences for their loss,” Lawn added.