9-Year-Old Sophia Subedi Tragically Dies After Wave Pool Incident at Hersheypark
HERSHEYPARK / HARRISBURG, PA — The Hershey community and the broader Bhutanese community in Harrisburg are mourning the devastating loss of Sophia Subedi, a bright and beloved 9-year-old, who passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, following an incident in the wave pool at The Boardwalk water park at Hersheypark.
📍 Incident Overview
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While visiting Hersheypark, Sophia tragically entered medical distress in the park’s wave pool. Lifeguards responded swiftly, initiating rescue procedures, followed by CPR and immediate medical intervention. She was transported to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her condition.
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Witnesses described seeing her pulled from the water “limp,” and park staff reacted with urgency, evacuating the pool and performing life-saving efforts with intense focus.
🧒 Sophia’s Story & Community Reflections
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Identified by representatives from the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, Sophia had lived in Harrisburg since 2022 after moving from Ohio. She had just completed third grade at North Side Elementary School.
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Sophia was described by loved ones as a bright, kind-hearted, and loving child who “brought joy and light to everyone who knew her.” The grief felt in her community is profound and enduring.
🚨 Response & Investigation
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Hersheypark CEO John Lawn expressed deep sorrow and affirmed the park’s commitment to cooperation with investigators, stating that both an internal review and official inquiries are underway. The wave pool has been closed pending review, while the rest of the park remains open.
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The Derry Township Police Department and Dauphin County Coroner’s Office are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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At the time of the incident, more than 100 certified lifeguards were on duty at The Boardwalk, including 10 stationed specifically in the wave pool—with the highest level of training in CPR, AED, deep-water rescue, and first aid.
📋 Remembering Sophia — A Life Brightly Lived
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sophia Subedi, age 9 |
| Date of Incident | July 24, 2025 |
| Location | Wave pool at The Boardwalk, Hersheypark |
| Community | Bhutanese community in Harrisburg; North Side Elementary School alumna |
| Key Characteristics | Bright, joyous, loving—cherished by all who knew her |
| Park Response | Lifeguard rescue, internal investigation, wave pool closed |
| Investigation | Led by Derry Township Police and Dauphin County Coroner |
🕯️ A Lasting Legacy of Light
Though Sophia’s life was brief, the mark she left is everlasting. She was a vibrant presence, and her sudden passing is acutely felt across two communities—her family, her school, and the Bhutanese diaspora in Harrisburg.
Her memory calls us to reflect on the fragility of life, the importance of vigilance in public safety, and the enduring impact that a young life can have.
Sophia’s community is uniting in grief and memorial: plans for services and gatherings are in progress, and fundraisers have been established to support her family in this unimaginable time.
💬 Final Thoughts
Although we lost her far too soon, Sophia’s light remains in the hearts of those she touched. May we honor her memory through compassion, unity, and renewed commitment to safety.
Rest peacefully, sweet Sophia Subedi. Your brilliance, warmth, and gentle spirit will never be forgotten.