A 9-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being discovered face down and unconscious in a residential pool during a family gathering in Buckeye, Arizona. The Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Department reported to FOX 10 Phoenix that the incident happened yesterday near Yuma and Watson roads. Officials responded to the emergency call in the afternoon and found the child in distress in the pool.
Following the rescue, the child was to quickly be taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital in Avondale, breathing, but still in critical condition. "The child was found face down and unconscious in a residential pool. It is believed that approximately one minute had passed since he was last seen in the water," the Fire Department conveyed to FOX 10 Phoenix. At this point, the events leading up to the boy's condition remain unclear to authorities.
Further reporting by 12News included a statement from the Buckeye Fire Department emphasizing community safety. "Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue Dept. extends our thoughts to the family and reminds our community that water safety and vigilant supervision are critical in preventing these tragic emergencies," the department expressed.
In light of the incident, the Buckeye Fire Department shared several water safety tips: Always designate a “Water Watcher” when children are swimming, keep pool gates closed and locked when not in use, ensure children to competently know how to swim and wear life jackets if needed, never rely on flotation devices as a substitute for supervision, and if a child goes missing, check the water first. These precautions serve as critical reminders for the Buckeye community to "help prevent tragedies and keep our community safe," as reported by 12News.
