VISALIA, Calif. (Gray News) – An 11-year-old boy died Saturday when he collapsed at a California water park, his family and park officials said.
The family told KSEE/KPEG that Richard Weinert-Soto collapsed at the top of a water slide while waiting in line at Visalia Adventure Park.
The park confirmed the medical emergency in a statement, saying Richard suffered a “cardiac emergency while waiting in line for the water slides.”
“Our staff, who are certified in resuscitation, responded quickly and did their best until medical personnel arrived,” park officials said.
The boy was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family to help pay for Richard’s funeral expenses.
According to the site, Richard was born with a heart and lung disease and had previously undergone several heart surgeries.
“When Richard was born, his heart was on the wrong side of his body and it was also turned backwards… this led to his six successful open-heart surgeries. As for his lungs, he was in chronic respiratory failure,” the GoFundMe page states.
Visalia Adventure Park also reiterated that Richard’s death was not the park’s fault.
“Please be assured that the park has been and continues to be a safe environment for the entire family and that this emergency had nothing to do with the park’s facilities,” park officials said.
The family said Richard enjoyed his final moments and was “a normal child.”
“Richard’s heart stopped while he was enjoying his time at Adventure Park…he was having fun, running around…and being a normal kid,” the GoFundMe page states.
The family described Richard as “the happiest, most loving and kind boy.”
“He enjoyed singing at his church, talking about God’s love, and making his friends and family laugh… However, not many people saw the bigger picture and what Richard had to go through on a daily basis,” the GoFundMe page states.
Visalia Adventure Park thanked its employees and first responders for their life-saving efforts.
Park authorities asked the community to pray for Richard’s family.
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