Police have shared heartbreaking findings one week after a nine-year-old girl sadly died at Hersheypark water park.
Sophia Subedi tragically drowned in the wave pool at Hersheypark’s water park on Thursday, July 24.
The incident took place at The Boardwalk, a themed section of the park that includes The Shore, a 378,000-gallon wave pool with depths reaching six feet.
Lifeguards spotted the child in trouble and launched what officials described as an “immediate rescue".
“From the moment our lifeguard team recognized 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,” said Hershey Entertainment CEO John Lawn.
Subedi was rushed to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Just over a week later, the Derry Township Police Department confirmed the cause of death as accidental freshwater drowning.
The coroner confirmed she had no preexisting medical issues, ruling out earlier concerns about a potential health episode.
Authorities also shared in a new report that there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Hersheypark or any of its employees.
“Following a thorough review of video footage, statements from employees, witnesses, and first responders, as well as documentation of the physical scene, our department has determined that the incident did not involve any criminal activity,” police said in a statement on Friday, August 1.
"The drowning of 9-year-old Sophia Subedi has been determined to be an accidental freshwater drowning, consistent with the official findings of the Dauphin County Coroner's Office," the statement added.
Authorities determined that "safety standards were being upheld by Hersheypark" and that the number of people in the pool at the time of Sophia's death "was significantly less" than maximum capacity.
"It was also noted that nearby witnesses and lifeguards responded promptly, initiating rescue and resuscitation efforts within seconds of noticing Sophia's distress," the statement continued. "The Derry Township Police Department, along with the witnesses, Hersheypark staff, and first responders who attempted to save Sophia, extend their sincere condolences to her family and friends, as well as the Bhutanese community, during this difficult time."
One witness described the frightening moment she saw the young girl being pulled from the water.
“It was 92 degrees and my family had just arrived when I saw a child being pulled, limp, from the wave pool,” she told WGAL.
“A lifeguard began CPR on a gurney with intense focus, working for several minutes. When he stopped, clearly shaken, the crowd let out an audible sigh. Staff did their best to shield onlookers from the trauma, but the weight of the moment was overwhelming,” she said.
“I later heard this may have been a medical emergency, not a typical drowning, which makes it no less tragic. Normally, after a day at Hersheypark, I come home exhausted. But last night, I couldn’t sleep. The image of that little [child], and the heartbreak of [the] family, is something I’ll never forget," they added.
Subedi, a rising fourth grader at North Side Elementary School in Harrisburg, was remembered by her community as bright, kind, and full of life.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, she moved with her family to Harrisburg in 2022 and had dreams of becoming a teacher.
“She was full of promise, innocence, and joy - a light in the lives of all who knew her,” said Tilak Niroula, spokesperson for the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg. “Her sudden and tragic departure has left a deep void in our hearts.”
A funeral was held on Wednesday, July 30. In the wake of her death, a GoFundMe created to support her family has raised more than $31,000.
The page describes the little girl as someone who loved music, dancing with her cousins, and singing Nepali songs during car rides.
“Those who knew Sophia remember her not just for her brilliance and curiosity, but also for her compassion,” the tribute read. “We hope to turn this loss into a legacy - perhaps by supporting children's safety initiatives, advocating for awareness, or creating a small space in her name where kids and families can feel safe, loved, and connected.”
Police, park staff, and emergency personnel all offered their condolences to Subedi's loved ones, saying their thoughts remain with them and Harrisburg’s Bhutanese community during this difficult time.