Hastings Fire and Rescue Ambulance (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — The 13-year-old girl who is in critical condition following an incident at the Hastings Water Park has been identified as an Ozu, Japan native taking part in the Hastings International Exchange Program.
According to the Hastings Police Department, officers and Hastings Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the Hastings Water Park on July 31 at 1:30 p.m.
The nature of the call was an unconscious juvenile girl with CPR in progress.
Arriving at the scene, Hastings Fire and Rescue took over performing life saving measures on the girl, which included CPR and AED administration. She was later taken by ambulance to Mary Lanning Healthcare in critical condition, per the Hastings Police.
The girl was identified as a native of Ozu, Japan, taking part in the HEIO program. Her parents in Japan have been notified and the Hastings Police will not release her name due to her age.
Upon preliminary investigation, video evidence shows that the 13-year-old walking from the shallow end of the pool and crossing the rope into the deep end of the pool.
She became fully submerged under water in the deep end and failed to resurface. Lifeguards are seen removing her from the pool and administering life saving measures until officials arrive.
The 13-year-old has been in the care of Mary Lanning Healthcare and is working to transfer her to the Children’s Hospital in Omaha via flight. Her condition is still listed as critical.
“We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to this 13-year-old female, her family, friends and everyone impacted by this tragic event and our community,” Captain Raelee Van Winkle stated in a press release.
