Hersheypark tragedy as child, 9, dies in front of families in horror incident

A child has tragically died after being seen in "distress" in front of horrified families at a waterpark.

The incident happened at The Boardwalk inside Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday. Lifeguards desprately tried to save the nine-year-old at the scene.

The child was rushed to Milton S. Hershey Medical Centre, but despite medics best efforts, they were later pronounced dead. The CEO of the waterpark, John Lawn, confirmed a death happened at the park, by saying that "a nine-year-old guest was tragically lost".

The statement added: "From the moment that our lifeguard team recognised that a child was in distress, they performed an immediate rescue, followed by continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts by our lifeguards, on-site first responders and medical personnel.

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"Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family. We extend our deepest condolences for their loss. Out of respect for their privacy, we will not release any personal details at this time.

“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. We will provide updates as appropriate, and we will continue to work to support everyone involved. In the coming days, we will conduct a thorough internal review and cooperate fully with authorities. The safety of our guests has always been our highest priority."

Hersheypark, which is affiliated with the well-known chocolate brand, is the biggest waterpark in Pennsylvania. The attraction features 16 different water rides and sections including a 378,000-gallon wave pool. Some of its most popular rides include the "Whitecap Racer", which allows visitors to race on mats.

The park also features roller coasters and life-size chocolate character meet and greets. The park also gives attendees the opportunity to feed one of their seals or sea lions, as part of their animal experiences package.

The CEO added: "To every family who visits Hersheypark, please know this: your safety and well-being drive every decision we make. 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."

The events leading up to the tragedy remains unclear. The investigation into the child's death is ongoing.