The Hershey park incident that occurred recently has deeply shocked visitors and the community. On July 24, 2025, a 9-year-old child tragically died after an incident at The Boardwalk, Hersheypark’s water park in Pennsylvania. The child was pulled from the wave pool after lifeguards recognized distress and immediately responded with rescue and life-saving efforts, but despite continuous attempts, the child did not survive.
The child, identified as Sophia Subedi, was remembered by family and community as kind and loving. A coroner ruled the cause of death to be accidental freshwater drowning, confirming there was no medical emergency that contributed to the tragedy. Sophia’s death marks an unprecedented fatality in the 118 years of Hersheypark’s operation.
Table of Contents
Lifeguard Response and Safety Measures
At the time of the incident, Hersheypark had 100 lifeguards on duty at The Boardwalk water park, including 10 specifically assigned to the wave pool area. According to CEO John Lawn and official statements, the lifeguards swiftly recognized Sophia was in distress, initiating immediate CPR and rescue efforts, followed by ongoing coordinated life-saving interventions with the support of on-site medical personnel.
The park emphasizes that guest safety is paramount and that this tragic event is driving a thorough internal review to improve and ensure safety measures are effective. Hersheypark routinely promotes water safety initiatives, including encouraging all visitors to learn to swim, wear life jackets, and swim under close supervision. The park limits the use of inflatables and mandates the presence of lifeguards on water attractions to maintain safety standards.
Context on The Boardwalk Water Park
The Boardwalk at Hersheypark is a popular water attraction featuring 16 water rides, which include a lazy river, several water slides, and a 378,000-gallon wave pool. It opened in 2007 within the 119-year-old amusement park. The area provides family fun and cooling relief during hot summer weather but also requires vigilant safety enforcement, as the recent incident tragically highlighted.
Recent Safety Incident at Hersheypark
Aside from this fatal accident, another safety scare occurred recently where a young child was rescued after walking onto the closed monorail tracks at the park. The child was not injured, and the quick response by guests and park staff prevented harm. Hersheypark reaffirmed its commitment to guest safety through these demonstrations of swift and effective incident response.
Hersheypark’s Commitment and Community Response
Hersheypark’s leadership expressed profound condolences to Sophia Subedi’s family and vowed to cooperate fully with authorities during ongoing investigations. The park has pledged to honor her memory by focusing on continuous guest safety improvements. The community around Hershey, Pennsylvania, and visitors nationwide have expressed sorrow and support, resonating with the park’s message that safety and well-being are their highest priorities.
The Hershey park incident is a sobering reminder of safety’s critical importance in amusement and water parks. Hersheypark continues to serve visitors with a strong focus on safety protocols, striving to ensure days of fun do not turn tragic. Community members and visitors are encouraged to stay informed and vigilant during their visits.
Readers are invited to share their thoughts, experiences, or questions about Hersheypark’s safety measures and how the community can support continuous improvements to prevent future incidents.