The tragic death of a 9-year-old girl at Hersheypark’s wave pool has now been ruled an accidental drowning, authorities have confirmed.
Sophia Subedi, who was visiting the popular Hershey, Pennsylvania amusement park on July 24, died after being pulled from the park’s 378,000-gallon wave pool. According to Dauphin County officials, the cause of death was freshwater drowning.
Vincent Paese, deputy chief clerk with the Dauphin County Commissioners, told local NBC affiliate WGAL that the autopsy report from the county coroner’s office determined Sophia’s death was accidental.
Sophia had been preparing to start fourth grade at North Side Elementary School in the upcoming school year. A family representative from the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg (BCH) confirmed her identity in a public statement.
“A bright, kind, and loving young girl, Sophia, brought joy and light to everyone who knew her. Her sudden loss has left our entire community in grief,” the BCH said.
In the days following the incident, the community launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support the Subedi family during this devastating time.
The CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, John Lawn, confirmed the heartbreaking incident in a statement issued the same day. He said lifeguards at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark noticed a child in distress and responded immediately.
“Our lifeguard team performed an immediate rescue, followed by continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts by on-site first responders and medical personnel,” Lawn stated. “Despite tireless efforts, the child did not recover.”
He added, “Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family.”
The incident occurred while over 100 lifeguards were on duty throughout the park’s water attractions, including 10 specially assigned to the wave pool. According to a spokesperson for the park, these lifeguards had received Special Facility Training—the highest level of certification available.
That specialized training includes deep water rescue techniques, CPR, Basic Life Support, use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), oxygen administration, and First Aid.
Hersheypark has promised full cooperation with authorities and launched an internal review of the incident. Lawn emphasized that the safety of guests remains the park’s “highest priority.”
Sophia’s sudden passing has left a deep mark on the Harrisburg and Bhutanese communities, where she was known for her bright spirit and loving nature. Her loss is especially felt by family, friends, classmates, and those who witnessed the devastating incident unfold.
As summer fun turned to tragedy, many are calling for increased awareness and enhanced safety precautions even in well-staffed environments.
Sophia’s story is now a sobering reminder of how quickly accidents can happen—even with lifeguards present—and how vital vigilance remains in water safety.
