String of Drownings Impact Public Pools

Public pools around the country were dealing with drowning incidents over the past several days.

Drowning victims were discovered in public pools in Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.  

In Florida, a 22-year-old man was found in a New Port Richey area community pool on Saturday morning.  Emergency responders pulled the man from the water and attempted lifesaving maneuvers, but the man could not be revived. His death is under investigation, but according to New Port Richey Patch, the drowning is believed to be accidental.

Separate incidents in the Chicago area involved a 4-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man.

From AB: Time to Rethink How Pool Operators Protect Swimmers?

Anna Trent, the 4-year-old girl, drowned Sunday evening at a public pool in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove. She was found unconscious in the pool, and CPR was performed on-site before she was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Downers Grove Swim and Racquet Club pool remains closed while the incident is under investigation.

The unidentified 27-year-old was discovered in a pool in Chicago’s Lawndale neighborhood early Monday morning. Police spokesperson Veejay Zala told the Chicago Tribune that first responders in that incident attempted CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Finally, the body of a man in his 40s was discovered in a Wausau, Wis., pool Saturday morning. Employees discovered the man before the pool opened for the day, around 8:30 a.m., and called police. Melinda Pauls of the Wasau Police Department told WAOW that the death appears to be a suicide, but the investigation into the case is still open. 

According to the CDC, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning each day. 

The organization recommends that children be supervised when swimming. In addition, formal swimming lessons help to reduce drowning risk among young children aged 1 to 4. Check out more drowning prevention tips here.