Drowning Victim's Death Ruled a 'Tragic Accident'

Haranadh Gurajada's death has officially been ruled a "tragic accident," according to police.

The 39-year-old father was trying to save his 10-year-old son when he nearly drowned Saturday, Sept. 4, in the outdoor pool at the Old Colony Lane condominiums off Massachusetts Avenue, according to the police investigation, which has now concluded.

Police determined Gurajada jumped into the pool at about 10:30 a.m. to rescue his 10-year-old son, Saiyasawi Gurajada, who had slipped and fallen into the pool's 10-foot deep end and could not swim, Arlington Police Captain Robert Bongiorno said.

Both father and son were pulled from the pool by nearby residents, whom began life-sustaining procedures before emergency personnel arrived. While Gurajada's son was soon treated and released from Children's Hospital in Boston, Gurajada was transported to Lahey Clinic in Burlington, where he remained in critical condition as of Thursday, Sept. 9.

On Wednesday, Sept. 15, hospital spokesman Steve Danehy said Gurajada had died. However, Danehy said, by law, he could not release the time or cause of death.

Gurajada moved to Arlington from India about three months ago and had been living at the Old Colony Lane condominiums since, Bongiorno said. His wife and two sons came to Arlington the Thursday before the incident.

Bongiorno said state medical examiners are aware of Gurajada's death. However, he did not know if an autopsy would be conducted.