Hersheypark Tragedy: Investigating Cause of Nine Year Old’s Death as Drowning or Seizure, Theories Spark Online Debate: Here’s What You Need to Know

Published on July 26, 2025

Heartbreak struck Hersheypark, Pa., on July 24, 2025, when a 9-year-old died at the water park’s Boardwalk area. As the investigation continues, social media is awash with conspiracy theories, with proponents likewise asking if the child’s death was a drowning or a fit. The boy was removed from the water and taken to the nearby Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, told the station. But there’s a lot of controversy over just how they died- even a decade later, people are still arguing about it on the internet.

The Incident: What We Know and Don’t Know

On this day, the child while having fun with the water features became suddenly unresponsive. Alert lifeguards quickly sprang into action, getting the child out of the water. The on-scene emergency responders immediately began life-saving procedures, and the child was transported to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The child was unable to be saved while the circumstances surrounding the death are unclear despite their best efforts.

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark has wave pools, lazy rivers and fast slides all things water-related. That has fueled conspiracy theories online. Although the exact cause has not been announced by officials, some have speculated that the boy may not have drowned at all but rather fallen victim to a medical emergency, like a seizure.

Social Media Sensation: Conspiracy Theories Fly Internationally

The case kicked off a deluge of online debate. A number of Reddit and Twitter users have presented their own theories on the grisly crime. They said water park seizures were actually fairly common, another Redditor added. Lifeguards, they said, are no strangers to responding to seizures because water can be a safer environment than land to have one — as long as help is immediate. “A rescue can be made pretty quickly in the water for a seizure. “Lifeguards being on hand to keep the person’s head above water until the seizure ends.”

However, others dismissed this notion. One user showed concern stating how can this happen when there are trained professionals all over the place? The theory of a seizure doesn’t fit.

Despite these theories, there has been no official announcement brought forth as to exactly what cause his death. The cause is being investigated by the coroner. While the public waits for more guidance, safety at water parks like Hersheypark is in the spotlight.

The Safety Debate: Lifeguard Training and Water Park Policies

Water parks, including Hersheypark’s Boardwalk, are staffed with lifeguards and emergency policies that ideally avoid such tragedies. Many netizens wonder how such incidents have taken place when trained personnel are working there. Water parks are supposed to have stringent rules, including lifeguards who never let swimmers out of their sight, fast response times and staff training, industry experts say.

A user wrote that the lifeguards are trained to handle situations like this, especially in crowded areas like the wave pool. Hersheypark lifeguards are well-trained, but some say that packed attractions can be too clogged with people to notice in time to respond to potential medical emergencies, especially in high-energy areas like wave pools.

Speculations and Official Responses

While conspiracy theories proliferated on social media, Hersheypark has offered a measured official response. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts president John Lawn responded with a statement expressing his sadness and confirming that investigations into the matter had been launched. He said although he grieved with the family of the child, he threw emphasis on the necessity of giving the family some space as they mourn.

Lawn further mentioned that it is critical not to rush to judgment before we have all the facts, and we implore the public to remain in a calm state as this investigation moves forward. As the investigation continues, Hersheypark has pledged to share more about what it learns.

The Larger Question: What Can Be Done to Avert Future Tragedies?

The incident has raised concern about water park safety at large. What else can be done to prevent these kinds of accidents in future? Some have proposed that water parks such as Schlitterbahn add additional staff during peak times to watch each area more closely. Some suggest more extensive training in medical emergencies for all staff, specifically when it comes to recognizing signs of seizures or other medical issues.

Conspiracy Theories or Justifiable Doubts?

Though much of it might seem far-fetched, it speaks to legitimate concerns about the efficacy of safety protocols at packed water parks. The speculation about the child’s manner of death is a reflection of an appetite for clarity, transparency and answers from the public. As the explanation for the crash unfolds, it is imperative that officials be as transparent as possible about precisely what is known, and what is not, so that speculation does not swamp whatever we can discover for certain.

The Hersheypark fatalities underscore the precarious balance between entertainment and safety at giant public venues. At water parks, and all in attractions, you should be in a constant state of evaluating and improving safety protocols, trainings, and emergency response to protect all of your guests.