9-Year-Old Drowns at Hersheypark Water Park

A 9-year-old child died following a drowning incident at The Boardwalk, Hersheypark's water park in Pennsylvania. Lifeguards and first responders quickly rescued the child after noticing distress and performed life-saving efforts, but the child was pronounced dead at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Park CEO John Lawn offered condolences, reaffirmed guest safety as a top priority, and announced an internal investigation while cooperating with authorities. The child’s identity and specific details of the incident are being withheld out of respect for the family. This is the first reported fatality at Hersheypark since 1977, highlighting the rarity of such incidents. Hersheypark is Pennsylvania’s largest and most popular theme park, drawing millions of visitors annually.