Hastings Water Park: 13 Year Old From Japan Hospitalized


Photo Credit: City of Hastings
Photo Credit: City of Hastings

(Hastings, NE) - The Hastings Police Department and Hastings Fire & Rescue were dispatched to the Hastings Water Park at approximately 1:50 p.m., today, July 31, 2024. The nature of the call was an unconscious juvenile female with CPR in progress. Upon arrival, Hastings Fire and Rescue took over performing lifesaving measures for the unconscious female. This included CPR and AED administration. She was later transported by ambulance to Mary Lanning Healthcare in critical condition.

The female has been identified as a 13-year-old from Ozu, Japan. She is currently in Hastings participating in the Hastings International Exchange Organization (HIEO) program. Her parents are currently in Japan and have been notified. Her name will not be released due to her age. The Hastings Police Department is investigating this incident to determine the facts. Upon preliminary investigation, video evidence shows the juvenile female walking from the shallow end of the pool and crossing the rope into the deep end of the pool. The female becomes fully submerged under water in the deep end where she fails to resurface. Lifeguards are seen removing her from the pool and administering lifesaving measures before HPD and HFR arrive.

This juvenile has been in the care of Mary Lanning Healthcare, and they are working to transfer her to Children's Hospital via flight. Currently her condition is still critical.