Natchez police are investigating after a child died after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool.
Police Chief Lee Best said his office received a call about an incident on Creek Street on Wednesday around 10 a.m. When law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, they spotted a utility worker performing CPR on the child.
Ambulatory personnel and other first responders showed up and took over on performing life-saving measures, while attempting to transport the child to a local hospital. The child, however, reportedly passed away before making it to a medical facility.
Authorities believe the child’s stepfather was tending to his lawn when the youth wandered to a neighboring residence and fell into an old swimming pool.
Once the stepfather noticed the child’s absence, he is reported to have searched frantically before finding the youth unresponsive in the pool.
“This appears to be a terrible, tragic accident, and my prayers go out to the family. Law Enforcement, Dispatch and Emergency Medical personnel worked extremely hard to preserve the young person’s life,” Best said. “We’re all going home with heavy hearts tonight as this is the load that first responders bear. My heart goes out to each of them, as well.”
The child’s name and age have not been released at this time. No foul play is suspected in this case.
