Two young children were rushed to hospitals Sunday evening after separate pool scares in Mesa that unfolded less than an hour apart and just a few blocks from each other. First responders said both kids were conscious and breathing. The first child, a 5‑year‑old girl, was treated at the scene, then taken to a nearby hospital. The second child was also transported to a hospital after a separate call in the Country Club Drive and Broadway Road area.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Mesa police said both rescues happened near apartment complexes, and investigators have not released the age or identity of the second child. The station reports the first emergency call came in shortly after 6 p.m., when crews found the 5‑year‑old girl alert and responsive. She was treated on scene before being taken to a local hospital. About 40 minutes later, firefighters responded to another pool emergency in the same neighborhood and took that child to the hospital for evaluation.
Why young children are vulnerable
Public health agencies warn that toddlers are especially at risk around water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1–4, and that most drownings in that age group happen in swimming pools. Experts say formal swim lessons, physical barriers and constant adult supervision all need to work together as layers of protection.
A troubling pattern across the Valley
FOX 10 Phoenix placed the Mesa rescues within a broader run of pediatric water emergencies across the Valley, reporting multiple submersion calls that week and at least two recent fatal incidents. The station said one of those deaths involved a 1‑year‑old girl who was pulled from a pool in north Phoenix. Local leaders have urged residents to double down on pool safety as temperatures rise and use of backyard and apartment pools increases.
How families can reduce risk
Safety groups advise families to enroll children in age‑appropriate swim lessons and to designate a dedicated adult "water watcher" whenever kids are in or near the water. The American Red Cross and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend swim lessons as one important layer of protection, while emphasizing that lessons do not replace physical barriers or active adult supervision. They also urge caregivers to learn CPR, keep phones close by and have an emergency plan in place before heading to pools or water parks.
What officials are asking
Mesa police said they are investigating both incidents and have not released additional details about the children’s conditions. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that it had reached out to the Mesa Fire Department for updates, but authorities had not provided more information as of the station’s report. We will update this story if officials release further details.
