Young Girl Rescued During Water Emergency At Newtown Athletic Club

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A young girl was rescued Sunday afternoon during what police called a "water-related" emergency at the Newtown Athletic Club on Pheasant Run Road.

When police arrived at the club's outside pool, the girl was alert and responsive and was ultimately transported via ambulance to the hospital for evaluation, police said.

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Details of the incident were not released by police or by the club, but a NAC member who witnessed the incident wrote on Facebook that the lifeguards and the staff "should be applauded for their response to the emergency.

"They saved the child's life and did their job and did it well. As a witness to the situation, it was handled perfectly. So glad it had the outcome it did," said the witness.

The club responded to the incident by issuing the following statement on its Facebook page.

"Like many of you, we have spent the last day shaken by what happened and reflecting," wrote the club. "While we are grateful for the outcome, this was a frightening situation for a child, a family, and those who were present. No family should ever have to experience something like this. We are deeply grateful to everyone who responded quickly, both from the NAC team and members who stepped in."

As a result of the incident, the NAC said it will be implementing additional safety measures moving forward. "Some of these changes may feel more restrictive at times, and we understand that. But if it helps prevent even one family from experiencing something like this, then it is the right thing to do."

The club added, "For nearly 50 years, families have trusted us to provide a safe environment, and we do not take that responsibility lightly. Yesterday was a reminder that safety requires constant attention and action, and we remain committed to doing everything possible to keep our families safe."

Most of all, said the club's posting, "Our hearts are with the child and family, and we continue to keep them in our thoughts."