UPDATE: Toddler Pronounced Dead Thursday After Swimming Pool Accident

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By MARY ANN BARTON (Patch Staff)

UPDATE 12:30 p.m. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority issued a news release Friday about the incident. NVRPA operates Pirate’s Cove at Pohick Bay, where the incident took place:

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is confirming that a 2-year-old child who was found unresponsive at Pohick Bay pool on June 15th died yesterday at Fairfax Hospital.

The child, at the pool with his family, entered the main pool unattended. As patrons were clearing the pool due to an impending storm, one of them motioned to a lifeguard on duty after pulling the child from the water. At the time of the incident, the pool had a full complement of lifeguards in position and actively scanning the water. Initial reports had incorrectly indicated that the child was found at the bottom of the pool after patrons had cleared the pool.

Lifeguards immediately activated their emergency action plan, calling 911 and beginning CPR.

Within about a minute, both a pulse and breath were re-established. Emergency personnel arrived on scene, took over care and transported the child to the hospital.

In the last two weeks, several drowning-related deaths have occurred in the area, including a local lake, a community pool and a river. This tragedy is a reminder of the importance of swimming pool safety.

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The 2-year-old little boy found at the bottom of a swimming pool in Lorton on Sunday was pronounced dead Thursday at Inova Fairfax Hospital, according to the Fairfax County police.

The incident took place at the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark at Pohick Bay Regional Park.

The apparent cause of death was drowning, police said. Detectives do not anticipate placing criminal charges in the case.

The police initially reported that the boy was found at the bottom of the pool at around 5 p.m. Sunday. But in a statement Friday, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority disputed this report, saying that another swimmer pulled the boy from the water (see the statement above). The pool was being cleared due to lightning in the area when he was found unresponsive.

Police officers assigned to the Marine Patrol Unit were summoned to the pool and immediately began chest compressions on the toddler. Fire & Rescue personnel arrived and continued CPR.

The child was taken Sunday to Inova Fairfax Hospital in life-threatening condition.