HERSHEY, PA — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded Thursday evening at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, where a 9-year-old child died following an incident at The Boardwalk, the park’s water park area.
The child was discovered in distress at one of the attractions, prompting an immediate response from lifeguards and on-site emergency personnel. Hersheypark CEO John Lawn confirmed the incident and said lifeguards quickly performed a rescue, followed by continuous life-saving measures from first responders and medical teams.
Despite these efforts, the child was transported to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.
“Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family,” said Lawn 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.”
Specific details surrounding the circumstances of the incident have not been released. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark features 16 water attractions, including a 378,000-gallon wave pool known as “The Shore” and the “Whitecap Racer,” touted as the world’s longest mat racing slide.
“The safety of our guests has always been our highest priority,” Lawn emphasized. “In the coming days, we will conduct a thorough internal review and cooperate fully with authorities.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
“As we grieve alongside our community, we ask for privacy for the family and for our team members who are deeply affected by this loss,” Lawn added. “We will continue to support everyone involved and honor the memory of this young guest by strengthening our commitment to safety at Hersheypark.”
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