A summer afternoon at Como Regional Park Pool in St. Paul turned serious when a 9-year-old girl experienced a medical emergency in the water and had to be pulled from the pool, according to authorities. Lifeguards and pool staff immediately began resuscitation efforts and stayed with her until emergency crews arrived, and she was taken to Regions Hospital in critical condition.
City officials say aquatics staff at Como Pool responded on July 20 and provided life-saving care while first responders were en route. According to City of St. Paul, the facility closed for a short time so staff could regroup and was expected to return to normal operating hours on July 22.
Officials And Hospital Update
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office told KARE 11 that the child was transported to Regions Hospital and remained in critical condition. Authorities have not released her name, and they have not shared any additional information about what caused the emergency.
Why This Matters
Near-drownings and drownings remain a major child-safety concern nationwide. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 379 fatal child drownings in 2023 and urged families and pool operators to use multiple layers of protection to prevent tragedies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also notes that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4, a grim statistic that highlights how crucial fast action by trained staff can be.
Local Resources And Safety Steps
Saint Paul Parks & Recreation offers swim lessons, lifeguard training and public-safety programs aimed at reducing emergencies in the water, with details available on the city's aquatics pages. According to City of St. Paul Aquatics, the department provides instruction and guidance for families looking to strengthen water-safety skills.
Officials have not indicated whether a formal investigation will follow this incident, and there were no further public updates on the girl's condition as of July 22. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office account was first reported by KARE 11, and this story will be updated if authorities release more information.
