11-year-old dies after “medical incident” at water park

An 11-year-old boy who suffered a “medical emergency” at Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, California, has died from a rare heart condition. According to news reports, 11-year-old Titus Wininger was at the water park with his youth group when he was found unconscious.

The Orange County Fire Department responded to the emergency and transported Wininger to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Irvine Police announced that his death was “not water related.”

After Irvine Police announced his death, Wild Rivers Water Park posted on its Instagram account:

We are deeply saddened to report that an incident occurred in Wild Rivers today. Despite the rapid response of our team and emergency services, he sadly later passed away in hospital. Our thoughts are with the boy’s family and loved ones at this difficult time and we ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The little boy who died at a water park in Irvine last week apparently had a rare heart defect.
Titus Wininger, 11, of Escondido, died on June 22 while on a field trip with a youth group.
So sad. https://t.co/0EGAMgPrrx

— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) 26 June 2024

After the death, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced that Wininger suffered from abnormal coronary artery insertion. According to the Orange County Register, the disease is:

occurs when an artery does not form properly before birth. The artery may be in the wrong place or come from the wrong place. This disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart and oxygen-rich blood can no longer reach the heart muscle. The result can be chest pain, shortness of breath or death. 1% of the population is affected, often without consequences.

The family has since started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expenses and learn more about the disease. The GoFundMe page states:

Titus was at a water park with his youth group when he became unresponsive. While the family is still waiting for more information or does not understand why, we want to reach out to them with love, support and a monetary donation that they may need during this time of grief.

After the medical incident, it was said that Titus Wininger was 12 years old, but his relatives have since corrected this information.

Wild Rivers Water Park is located in Irvine, just a few miles from Disneyland. The Southern California water park has been open at its current location since 2022, but was located at a different location from 1986 to 2011 before moving.

What precautions do you take with your children at water parks?