14-year-old boy dies after diving accident in Ceraland

A teenager died in a diving accident in the pool at CERA Sports Park & ​​Campgrounds earlier this month, authorities confirmed.

Jaxson D. Grubbs, 14, of New Castle, was injured in a diving accident at the park, 3989 S. County Road 525E, Columbus, on the afternoon of June 6 while visiting friends.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane said in a statement that at about 1:36 p.m. that day, “officers were called to the pool at Ceraland Park for a report of an unconscious person. Security camera footage captured a male juvenile jumping into the pool and experiencing a medical emergency. The juvenile was rescued from the pool and later flown by Lifeline to Riley Children’s Hospital.”

The Marion County Coroner determined that Grubbs died in Riley as a result of accidental drowning.

“This is a terrible tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of the sheriff’s office are with the victim and his family,” Lane said.

Emergency personnel from Elizabethtown and Columbus Regional Health also responded to the incident.

An attorney for Ceraland, Deanna M. Tucker of Louisville-based Barnes Maloney PLLC, said CERA could not comment on the incident. In a statement, she said, “CERA Sports Park & ​​Campground extends its condolences to the Grubbs family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

According to his obituary, Jaxson had just completed eighth grade at New Castle Middle School and was a talented baseball player. “He had a light-hearted personality, was funny, kind-hearted, witty, often a prankster and was loved by many. He was happiest around his friends and family,” the obituary states.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the New Castle Little League or the Hagerstown Tigers Youth Baseball.