9‑Year‑Old Dies at Hersheypark’s The Boardwalk Water Park: “Our Deepest Condolences”

9‑Year‑Old Dies at Hersheypark’s The Boardwalk Water Park: “Our Deepest Condolences”

Tragedy at The Boardwalk

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, a 9‑year‑old child tragically died following an incident at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. According to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn, park lifeguards recognized the child was in distress and immediately performed a rescue, supported by on-site first responders and medical personnel (WGAL).

Hersheypark

Emergency Response & Hospitalization

The child was transported without delay to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, but despite continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts, did not survive. The company did not disclose the cause of death or specific details as the family’s privacy is being respected (WGAL).

Park Statement & CEO Message

In his official statement, John Lawn said:

“Our hearts break for this child and the child’s family. We offer our sincerest sympathies for their passing.”

He reiterated that guest safety is the park’s highest priority and pledged a thorough internal review, stating Hersheypark will cooperate fully with authorities in an ongoing investigation (WGAL).

About The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is Hersheypark's water park, which opened in 2007 (the park's 100th anniversary). It features 16 water attractions, including waterslides, a lazy river, a tidal wave pool named The Shore (378,000 gallons, up to 6 feet deep), and the Whitecap Racer, which claims According to Wikipedia, it is the longest mat racing slide in the world. (Wikipedia).

Warning 

This incident marks one of only two fatal incidents in Hersheypark’s more than a century of operation. The last death occurred in 1977, when a 16‑year‑old employee was struck by a roller‑coaster cart during maintenance work (People.com).

Ongoing Review & Safety Measures

According to Hershey Entertainment, lifeguards receive a minimum of 24 hours of basic training, followed by monthly follow-up training. They emphasized that timed swim sessions and guest capacity limits are used to manage safety at each attraction (WGAL).

As investigations continue, the company states it will provide updates as appropriate and support affected guests and team members during this difficult time (People.com).

Summary Table

Key Detail	Information
Date	July 24, 2025
Location	The Boardwalk, Hersheypark, Hershey, PA
Child’s Age	9 years old
Emergency Response	Lifeguards, first responders, medical team
Transported to Hospital	Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Park Attractions	16 water rides including wave pool, slides
Last Fatal Incident	1977 (park employee)
Park Response	Internal review; full cooperation with authorities

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Video Coverage by Fox News

"Our deepest condolences" after a 9-year-old dies at Hersheypark's The Boardwalk water park'

Watch the full coverage above for more visuals and reporting on the incident.

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Final Thoughts

This sorrowful event underscores the critical importance of water safety and emergency preparedness—even at parks with long-standing safety records. Hersheypark’s public response signals a commitment to transparency and internal accountability.

Our thoughts are with the grieving family and all who have been affected. If you'd like a longer version (~1500 words), SEO-optimized content, or image prompts for your blog, feel free to ask.