The Unseen Dangers: 5 Critical Facts About The Hersheypark Child Death And Water Park Safety

The tragic incident involving a 9-year-old child at Hersheypark’s water park remains a critical, sobering topic for families and amusement park regulators today, December 12, 2025. This devastating event, which occurred in the park’s popular wave pool, highlighted the inherent risks of water attractions and sparked a profound conversation about safety protocols, lifeguard training, and parental vigilance at major amusement destinations.

While Hersheypark maintains a long-standing history and a commitment to guest safety, the death of a young guest is a stark reminder of the potential for tragedy, even in environments designed for family fun. The following deep dive examines the facts of the most prominent child fatality case, the official findings, and the lasting impact on safety standards.

The Tragic Case of Sophia Subedi: A Heartbreaking Timeline

The most widely reported and significant child fatality at Hersheypark in recent history involves a young girl whose life was tragically cut short at the park’s water attraction. This section details the known facts about the victim and the incident.

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• Victim Name: Sophia Subedi
• Age: 9 years old
• Date of Incident: Thursday, July 24, [Year of Incident - widely reported in articles from that time] (The incident remains the primary focus of public discussion on "Hersheypark child death" and serves as a critical case study for water park safety.)
• Location of Incident: The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, specifically "The Shore" wave pool.
• Cause of Death: Accidental fresh water drowning.
• Community: Sophia was a member of the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• Aftermath: She was transported to the Hershey Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Sophia Subedi was remembered by her community and family as a bright, kind, and loving child. Her death sent shockwaves through the local area and the wider amusement park industry, prompting immediate and rigorous investigation by local authorities.

The Shore Wave Pool: Investigation Findings and Safety Protocols

The incident occurred at "The Shore," a large wave pool located within The Boardwalk water park section of Hersheypark. The pool holds approximately 378,000 gallons of water and has a maximum depth of six feet.

Official Investigation: No Negligence Found

Following the tragedy, the Derry Township Police Department and the Dauphin County Coroner's Office launched a thorough review of the incident. The key findings of the official investigation were significant and drew national attention:

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The police review concluded that Hersheypark was upholding safety standards at the time of the incident. Reports indicated that multiple lifeguards—up to 10 in some accounts—were present and on duty at the wave pool when the drowning occurred. Despite the presence of trained staff and the park adhering to its protocols, the death was officially ruled an accidental drowning.

This finding sparked debate over the adequacy of safety standards in high-capacity water attractions like wave pools, where the sheer number of guests and the movement of the water can obscure a person in distress. The investigation’s conclusion of "no negligence" meant no criminal charges were filed against the park or its employees.

The Complexities of Wave Pool Safety

Wave pools, while popular, present a unique set of challenges for lifeguards compared to traditional swimming pools. The constant motion, the crowded conditions, and the visual distortion caused by the waves can make it incredibly difficult to spot a swimmer in distress, particularly a small child.

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Hersheypark’s safety protocols emphasize that guest safety is the number one priority, with a well-trained lifeguard staff overseeing its 14 unique water attractions, including "The Shore," "Coastline Plunge," and "Whitecap Racer." However, the tragedy serves as a perennial caution that even with stringent procedures, a combination of factors can lead to a fatal outcome.

The Aftermath: Legal Action and Lasting Impact

While the official police review found no negligence, the family of Sophia Subedi pursued legal action, filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the park. Wrongful death claims in Pennsylvania often hinge on demonstrating that a party failed to exercise reasonable care, even if the failure does not rise to the level of criminal negligence.

Pennsylvania Amusement Park Regulations

The incident also brought renewed scrutiny to the state-level regulation of amusement parks in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth regulates its parks through the Pennsylvania Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board, which sets forth specific safety requirements and regulations under 7 Pa. Code Section 139.

Key regulations cover:

• Operator Training: Mandating specific training for ride and attraction operators.
• Water Attractions: Specific guidelines for attractions involving exposure to water where accidental drowning is a possibility.
• Inspection Requirements: Requiring parks to submit affidavits and safety data to the state.

Critics have pointed to historical shortcomings in enforcement and reporting, noting that not all parks consistently submit required safety data, which complicates the oversight process.

Essential Safety Entities and LSI Keywords

To fully understand the context of this tragedy and the subsequent safety discussions, several key entities and concepts are essential:

• Derry Township Police Department: The local law enforcement agency that conducted the primary investigation into the death.
• Dauphin County Coroner's Office: The office responsible for determining the official cause of death (accidental drowning).
• The Boardwalk: The specific water park section within Hersheypark where the incident occurred.
• Hersheypark Fatal Incident History: The park, which opened in 1907, has had a very low number of fatal incidents, making any death a major event.
• Water Safety Guide for Parents: Resources created in the wake of the tragedy to educate parents on supervising children in crowded water park environments.

5 Critical Safety Lessons for Families Visiting Water Parks

The tragic death of the 9-year-old at Hersheypark serves as a powerful cautionary tale for all families. Here are five critical lessons to ensure maximum safety at any water park:

1. Maintain Touch Supervision: For non-swimmers or young children, parents should be within arm's reach (touch supervision) at all times, especially in crowded areas like wave pools.
2. Use Life Vests: Even if a child is a proficient swimmer, providing a Coast Guard-approved life vest in deep or turbulent water attractions like "The Shore" is a vital extra layer of protection.
3. Designate a Water Watcher: Assign one adult to be the sole "water watcher" for a specific, uninterrupted period. This person should not be distracted by phones, books, or conversations.
4. Understand the Attraction: Be aware of the maximum depth (e.g., six feet at The Shore) and the nature of the attraction. Wave pools can quickly create currents and turbulence that overpower a small child.
5. Teach Water Safety Skills: Enroll children in swimming lessons and teach them basic survival skills, such as floating on their back and treading water.

While Hersheypark continues to operate with its established safety protocols, the memory of the tragic drowning underscores the need for constant vigilance from both park operators and the families who visit. The ongoing discussion about this incident ensures that water park safety remains a paramount concern for the entire industry.