St. Cloud YMCA Safety Review Underway After Seven-Year-Old Girl Drowns During Swim Lessons

(KNSI) – There is still no information on what led to a near drowning of a girl during swimming lessons at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA over the weekend.

First responders were called to the aquatic center around 10:50 on Saturday morning as the seven-year-old was pulled from the pool. Police say she was found unresponsive, and it’s unknown how long she was underwater.

An off-duty SCPD Officer and a physician were at the YMCA and immediately assisted with emergency medical care. The girl was rushed to St. Cloud-CentraCare Hospital, however, her current condition and whereabouts were not released.

YMCA Executive Director Greg Gack says that based on multiple reports from those involved, everyone reacted in a matter of seconds, and the team responded quickly and appropriately. In an email to KNSI News, Gack says, “Due to the student being a minor and out of respect for the family, we cannot share any further details of the child. Prayers are requested for the child, her family and friends as well as those who came to her aid.”

A witness, who asked not to be identified, was at the Y for their daughter’s swimming lessons and told KNSI News staff and first responders worked on the child for several minutes before transporting her for further treatment.

Gack tells KNSI News that swimming lessons were canceled over the weekend but resumed on Monday.

In the email, Gack acknowledged youngsters may be troubled by the story and says when talking with children about it, it’s important to first reassure them. Let them know you are there to listen and support them, allowing them to talk, write or draw about the event and their emotions. Explain what happened in an age-appropriate manner and answer any questions they have accordingly.

YMCA officials say an internal review is ongoing to determine what led to the incident and lay out steps that will keep an emergency from happening again.

The YMCA already hosts lifeguard training classes multiple times per month. All lifeguards are taught CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, among other first aid skills.

Gack adds that safety is a core part of the overall YMCA mission.

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