9-Year-Old Identified as Girl Who Died in Hersheypark Wave Pool Incident: She Was ‘Kind,’ Dreamed of Being a Teacher
By Angelina Liu and Sam Gillette
Published on July 28, 2025, 04:18 PM EDT
HERSHEY, PA — A fun-filled summer day at Hersheypark turned into an unimaginable tragedy last week, when 9-year-old Sophia Subedi, a bright and compassionate young girl from Harrisburg, lost her life following an incident in the park’s wave pool.
Sophia, who had just completed third grade at North Side Elementary School and was eagerly preparing to begin fourth grade, was identified Monday by the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg (BCH), a close-knit organization that has been supporting her family in the wake of this devastating loss.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Sophia moved with her family to Harrisburg in 2022, where she quickly became a beloved member of both her school and her broader community.
“A Light in Our Lives”
“A bright, kind, and loving young girl, Sophia brought joy and light to everyone who knew her,” said Tilak Niroula, chairman of BCH, in a statement. “Her sudden loss has left our entire community in grief.”
Friends, teachers, and neighbors echoed that sentiment, describing Sophia as a child full of curiosity, generosity, and love. She was known for helping classmates with their homework, always offering a smile, and talking passionately about her dream of becoming a teacher when she grew up — inspired by those who had nurtured and encouraged her love of learning.
“Sophia would line up her dolls and pretend she was their teacher,” said a family friend. “She always said she wanted to help kids learn, just like her teachers helped her.”
The Incident
The tragedy occurred on Thursday, July 24, at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, the park’s expansive water attraction area. According to a statement from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn, Sophia became “in distress” while in the wave pool, a popular attraction that simulates ocean-like waves.
The park stated that 10 lifeguards were on duty at the time of the incident. Once lifeguards noticed Sophia was struggling, “they performed an immediate rescue,” followed by what Lawn described as “continuous, coordinated life-saving efforts by our lifeguards, on-site first responders, and medical personnel.”
Sophia was transported by emergency services to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where, despite all efforts, she was pronounced dead.
Outpouring of Grief and Support
Sophia’s sudden passing has sent shockwaves through both the local community and the wider Bhutanese-American diaspora. Vigils and prayer gatherings have been held in her memory, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist her family with funeral costs and support during this heartbreaking time.
“She had such a gentle soul,” said one of her teachers at North Side Elementary. “She loved animals, math, and music. But more than anything, she loved people. She wanted to help others. She was the kind of student every teacher hopes to have.”
Counselors have been made available at her school and through BCH to help children and families process the grief.
Park Response and Ongoing Investigation
CEO John Lawn has pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sophia’s death, emphasizing that “the safety and well-being of our guests is our highest priority.”
While early reports from park officials suggest that standard safety protocols were in place — including multiple lifeguards and immediate medical response — the incident has raised renewed concerns about water park safety and emergency response timing, particularly for younger swimmers in large, crowded pools.
The Derry Township Police Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which oversees amusement park safety, are currently conducting investigations to determine exactly how the incident unfolded and whether any additional safety measures may be warranted in the future.
A Community United in Grief
In a time of immense sorrow, Sophia’s family and community are choosing to remember the beauty of her short life rather than the horror of her passing.
“She loved going to the library, dancing to music with her little cousins, and drawing pictures of her family,” said a family member. “She had a laugh that could light up the whole room. We will never stop missing her.”
A public memorial service is expected to be held later this week in Harrisburg, where mourners will come together to honor a young girl whose life was filled with love, promise, and compassion.
As the community mourns, many are finding comfort in the legacy Sophia leaves behind — a reminder of the joy found in simple moments, the importance of kindness, and the impact one little girl can have on so many.
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