Authorities have confirmed that Sophia Subedi, 9, died from accidental freshwater drowning at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. The tragedy occurred on July 24 when Sophia got into difficulty in the park’s wave pool.
Hersheypark stated that 10 trained lifeguards were on duty at the pool when the incident happened. “From the moment our lifeguard team recognized that a child was in distress, they performed an immediate rescue, followed by continuous life-saving efforts,” said John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. Despite being rushed to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Sophia did not survive.

The Dauphin County Coroner confirmed that Sophia did not suffer from any prior medical issue. A GoFundMe page has been launched to support her grieving family. “It is with unimaginable sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, student, and friend,” the page reads.
Hersheypark has promised a full review of the incident, emphasizing that guest safety remains their top priority.