Girl from Japan in critical condition after medical incident at Hastings Aquacourt

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - A 13-year-old girl visiting from Japan is in critical condition after she was pulled from the what is being called a “medical incident” at the Hastings Aquacourt.

Hastings police said a lifeguard pulled the girl from the deep end of the pool just before 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Police said she had gone from the shallow end of the pool to the deep end, but stayed underwater. The lifeguard began CPR after the girl was pulled out of the water. Rescue workers also used an AED and then took her to Mary Lanning Hospital.

Hastings International Exchange Organization President Tammie Schik confirmed the young female is a exchange student from Ozu, Japan. The girl is one of ten students visiting Hastings this week as part of a cultural exchange program with Hastings Sister City.. The group had been scheduled to swim at the Aquacourt Wednesday afternoon.

Hastings police were reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.

Police did not name the victim as of Wednesday afternoon.

Sharon Brooks of the Hastings International Exchange program declined to identify the girl, but did say that her family in Japan had been notified and that she was being well taken care of at Mary Lanning Hospital.

The Hastings Aquacourt closed early after the incident. A city spokesman said the pool would be closed until further notice.

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