9-Year-Old Who Drowned in Hersheypark Wave Pool Remembered at Funeral with ‘Deep Love and Sorrow’

The funeral for 9-year-old Sophia Subedi, who tragically drowned at Hersheypark’s water park in Pennsylvania, was held on Wednesday, July 30. The Dauphin County Coroner’s Office determined that the cause of her death was accidental “fresh water drowning” at the park on Thursday, July 24. The ceremony was attended by over 500 people, including friends and family who gathered to pay their final respects to the young girl.

The Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg expressed their deep sorrow and love during the funeral, as shared in a statement on Facebook. The community highlighted the support and compassion that helped comfort the grieving family and provided strength to all those present. Pennsylvania State Sen. Patty Kim praised the strong and beautiful support shown by Sophia’s school and the Bhutanese community, offering prayers for comfort and healing for Sophia’s family.

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas also paid tribute to Sophia, expressing his deep emotional response to the unity displayed by hundreds of members of the Bhutanese community at the funeral service. He reflected on the vivid memories shared by those who knew Sophia, describing her as bubbly, kind, and full of life, leaving everyone in tears and awe. The family described Sophia’s loss as creating an irreparable void in their hearts.

Sophia, a bright young girl with dreams of becoming a teacher, found herself in distress while in the wave pool at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark. Despite the efforts of the 10 lifeguards on duty to save her, she was rushed to the nearby Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she was tragically pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed that Sophia’s cause of death was accidental drowning in freshwater, with no underlying medical events contributing to the incident.

Tilak Niroula, Chairman of the Bhutanese Community of Harrisburg, remembered Sophia as a beautiful, respectful, and outspoken child who always greeted others warmly. He noted that her family, still grappling with the tragedy, is currently not engaging with the media. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Sophia’s family during this challenging time.

John Lawn, CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resort, stated that the company places the safety of their visitors as their utmost priority and promised a thorough investigation into the incident. The Derry Township Police expressed their condolences to Sophia’s family and friends, assuring them that a comprehensive review of the incident would be completed by the end of the week.

As the community mourns the loss of a vibrant and beloved young girl, efforts are being made to honour Sophia’s memory through memorial initiatives, safety advocacy, and shared love for one another. The tragic event has brought people together in solidarity and serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the well-being of all visitors at Hersheypark. Grieving together, the community stands strong in remembrance of Sophia Subedi.