Child dies in Wild Rivers Water Park in California

Austin Turner and Addy Bink

2 hours ago

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the boy’s correct age.

IRVINE, Calif. (KTLA) – A child died at an Orange County water park Saturday, authorities confirmed.

In a post to X, Irvine Police said officers and the Orange County Fire Department responded to an incident at Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine on Saturday.

In a statement, park officials said a boy experienced “an incident outside a swimming pool that was non-water related but of a medical nature.”

The boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died. The park’s statement initially said the boy was 12 years old, but the boy’s mother told Nexstar’s KSWB he was 11.

“Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Wild Rivers’ statement said. “We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Neither Irvine police nor Wild Rivers officials released further details.

Wild Rivers Water Park was originally open from 1986 to 2011. The current version and location at 10000 Great Park Boulevard opened in summer 2022.