After a tragic drowning accident at Splashville in Stephenville, water safety is on the minds of everyone.
According to information released by the Stephenville Police Department, on Saturday, June 24 at about 7:49 p.m. a 911 call was received about a possible drowning victim at Splashville.
A private pool party was being hosted at the time of the accident, after the official closing of Splashville. The maximum occupancy for Splashville is 660 people and it was below that limit during the party. The minimum age for lifeguards at Splashville is 15 and they are all certified through the American Red Cross which includes training in first aid, CPR and AED.
SPD officers along with Stephenville Fire Department personnel responded and found citizens and lifeguards performing CPR on a 4-yearold child that was found unresponsive in the pool.
Paramedics transported the child to Texas Health Stephenville emergency room but at 9 p.m. the medical staff advised officers that the child had died. The child was later pronounced by Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee.
Though multiple agencies are investigating the circumstances of the drowning, all indicators are that the incident was an accident, the press release said.
A GoFundMe to help the family of the victim, Colt Williams, has been set up and Stephenville Nutrition and Energy is having an ongoing fundraiser through July 3.
For every “Dino drink” ordered $5 will go back to the Williams family and there will be donation jars set up at the store located at 2119 W. Washington Street in Stephenville.
The GoFundMe page can be found by searching for “The Williams Family in their time of tragedy” on Go fund me.
“The city of Stephenville and the entire community wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the family that tragically lost their 4-yearold child at Splashville on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The City also sends thoughts and prayers to all of those who were in attendance at Splashville during that time, along with all of our lifeguards, police, and fire personnel who responded to the call,” said Stephenville City Manager Jason King in a press release.
In an effort to move as quickly and thoroughly as possible to gain answers to questions posed surrounding this incident, Stephenville has asked an outside law firm to assist in investigating the circumstances of this incident as well as to review all operational policies and procedures relating to the operation of Splashville. This investigation is in addition to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Stephenville Police Department and agencies assisting them.
Splashville will remain closed during the investigative processes and consideration of reopening will occur pending the outcomes of the investigation.
Further updates will be provided as necessary during the investigative process.
During the Monday, June 26 Commissioners Court meeting, Huckabee closed the meeting by asking for prayers for the family, the hospital staff and first responders involved with accident.
With the most common cause of death for children age four and under being drowning and 10 people drowning in the U.S. each day, learning to swim and paying attention to water safety tips can be an important part of each summer.
According to usaswimming. org, formal swimming lessons reduces the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%. 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability. Research shows 64% of African American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.
According to the American Red Cross, the following swimming safety tips are offered: ■ Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
■ Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising, even when a lifeguard is present, no matter how well the child can swim or how shallow the water. Avoid distractions including cell phones.
■ Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
■ Stay within an arm’s reach of anyweakorinexperienced swimmer who is in the water.
■ Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guardapproved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
■ Do not rely on the use of water wings, swim rings, inflatable toys or other items designed for water recreation to replace adult supervision.
■ If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
■ Designate a “water watcher” whenever in a group setting.
■ Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
■ Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit. The American Red Cross offers two free online water safety classes.