Boy, 3, Dies After Being Pulled From Pool In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — A 3-year-old boy who was pulled unconscious from a swimming pool on Sunday died Monday at the hospital despite his mother's attempts to save his life, Howell police said Wednesday.

Lucas Hynes was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a home on Fort Plains Road Sunday afternoon when his mother realized he had gone missing, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said. She found him floating in the pool, pulled him out and began CPR immediately while witnesses called 911, he said.

Howell police were called about 5:20 p.m. and arrived within minutes, Antunez said. They began resuscitation efforts "which resulted in Lucas regaining his pulse," Antunez said. The boy was taken by MONOC to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

"Despite a valiant effort by first responders ... (and) Lucas’s strong will to live, he succumbed to his injuries" early Monday morning, Antunez said.

Antunez said the investigation determined that Lucas and several young children were swimming and playing outside in the backyard, appropriately supervised by an adult. All of the children got out of the pool and were playing in the yard, still supervised by an adult.

"Eventually, the adult and children went inside the home, but Lucas’s mother realized Lucas was not present," Antunez said. "She immediately began looking for him and went outside calling his name."

That's when she found him in the pool, Antunez said. It is estimated Lucas was unaccounted for about 10 minutes, he said.

The investigation by the Howell Police Department and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is considered closed at this time and the incident has been deemed a tragic accident, he said.

The police department refrained from releasing information on the incident "out of respect for the family and to provide time for the initial investigation," Antunez said. But with information posted on social media, "a decision was made to release the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic event."

The Howell Police Department, Howell Police EMS, Howell First Aid and MONOC Medics responded to the scene.

"The Howell Police Department sends their condolences to Lucas’s family and friends," he said.

A GoFundme has been established to help with the funeral expenses. Click here to contribute. In addition, a pro wrestling event has been set up, scheduled for Aug. 18 in Jackson, to raise money to assist with medical bills. Click here for information.

Click here to read the obituary for Lucas: Bayville Boy, 3, Dies In Tragic Accident, Family Says

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Photo via GoFundme, a Patch partner