Tragedy at Mt. Hawley Country Club: Two Children Found Unresponsive in Pool During Peoria Staff Event
Monday, July 28, 2025 — A day meant for fun and celebration at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria took a heartbreaking turn when two children were discovered unresponsive in the club’s swimming pool during an employee appreciation event .
📍 Incident Overview
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At approximately 7:44 p.m., Peoria Police responded to a call from the country club at 7700 N. Knoxville Avenue, where bystanders had found two young children in the pool—one unresponsive, another in respiratory distress .
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Staff and other attendees started lifesaving measures before emergency crews arrived .
🚑 Emergency Response & Medical Status
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Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Calhoun reported that crews arrived around 7:50 p.m. and discovered:
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A six-year-old child, unresponsive and not breathing, receiving CPR.
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A seven-year-old child, already out of the pool and in respiratory distress, assisted by bystanders .
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The six-year-old received advanced life support and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where they remain in critical condition.
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The seven-year-old was stabilized at the scene and also taken to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, with their condition described as much improved but still under care
🚧 Event Context
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The pool was closed to the public at the time, being used for a staff appreciation event hosted by the club .
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The Peoria Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID) has taken over the investigation to determine how the incident occurred, whether supervision protocols were followed, and any contributing factors.
📅 Detailed Timeline
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, July 28, 2025 |
| Time | Approx. 7:44 p.m. (emergency reported) |
| Location | Mt. Hawley Country Club pool (7700 N. Knoxville Ave) |
| Situation | Two children found unresponsive in pool |
| Child Ages | Six-year-old (critical), Seven-year-old (responsive) |
| Medical Facility | Taken to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center |
| Investigation | Led by Peoria Police CID |
| Pool Access at Time | Closed to public—employee event ongoing |
📝 Summary & Outlook
The incident has plunged Peoria into a state of collective mourning and concern. While the seven-year-old showed promising signs of recovery at the scene, the six-year-old remains in critical condition at hospital. Authorities are conducting a full investigation to understand the circumstances and ensure preventive measures are strengthened moving forward.
If any witnesses or attendees at the club that evening noticed anything amiss—such as inadequate supervision around the pool, delayed emergency response, or other irregularities—they are urged to contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673‑4521. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via tip411 or Crime Stoppers at (309) 673‑9000
💔 Final Reflection
What began as an evening to honor the club’s staff transformed into an urgent situation filled with grief and uncertainty. As both families cope with this difficult time, community members and authorities remain united in hopes for recovery, accountability, and learning.
Our thoughts are with the children, their families, and the community of Peoria as they navigate this tragic event together.