The Dauphin County Coroner’s Office has officially confirmed the cause of death for 9-year-old Sophia Subedi, who tragically drowned last week at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. Sophia passed away on July 24 after struggling in the wave pool known as The Shore, a favorite attraction at the park located about 30 minutes from Harrisburg.
The coroner clarified that there was no underlying medical condition that contributed to the drowning, ruling the death an accidental freshwater drowning. At the time, The Shore had up to 10 lifeguards on duty, all specifically assigned to the wave pool and trained in deep-water rescue, CPR, AED, basic life support, and first aid.
Despite immediate rescue efforts by lifeguards and on-site medical teams, Sophia could not be revived. She was then taken to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
In response, John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, expressed sorrow and emphasized the commitment to safety. He stated that the lifeguard team acted quickly and efficiently and pledged a thorough investigation to improve guest security and honor Sophia’s memory.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Sophia’s family has raised over $25,000 toward its $60,000 goal. Sophia, born in Columbus, Ohio, and a Harrisburg resident since 2022, was remembered as a bright and lively child who touched the hearts of many in her community.
The investigation into this heartbreaking incident is still underway.
