Sophia Subedi, who was only 9 years old, died while visiting the wave pool at Hersheypark. A bright and loving light went out too soon. People who knew Sophia said she was “kind” and “happy.” She wasn’t just a regular kid; she was a dreamer who wanted to be a teacher so she could share her love of learning with other people.
Sophia lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was getting ready to start fourth grade after finishing third grade at North Side Elementary School. Her family moved to Harrisburg in 2022, but she was born in Columbus, Ohio. Her community is very sad that she died too soon on July 24.
There are reports that Sophia started to feel sick in the water while she was with her family in the wave pool area. John Lawn, the CEO of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, told the public that a group of lifeguards who were there at the time started to help right away. Sophia was taken to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, but sadly she did not make it. The lifeguards, medical staff on site, and first responders all did their best.
Someone from the Bhutanese community in Harrisburg who is related to Sophia talked about how much they cared about her. In a statement, Chairman Tilak Niroula said, “Sophia was a smart, kind, and loving young girl who brought joy and light to everyone who knew her.” “The whole community is sad about her sudden death.”
As word of this awful event spread, Lawn sent his condolences and told families that they were still committed to keeping Hersheypark safe. He said, “Your safety and well-being drive every decision we make,” and promised to look into everything carefully to make sure every guest was safe.
The wave pool at Hersheypark is a popular place to go. It has 16 rides and pools. It can hold a lot of water—378,000 gallons! This event, on the other hand, is a clear example of how dangerous things can be even in places that are supposed to be fun. The last time someone died at Hersheypark before this was in 1977.
The Derry Township Police Department and the Dauphin County Coroner’s Office are still looking into the case. Sophia’s family and friends are showing her a lot of love. A GoFundMe page for her family says she was a smart student who loved to read, paint, and spend time with her family. People who knew her well remember how kind and curious she was. She was always willing to help out or share a snack with her friends.
The person in charge of the fundraiser said, “Sophia often talked about how she wanted to be a teacher because of the great teachers she had.” They also talked about how much she liked helping people. She loved music, dancing, and going for walks with her mom at night. She was a happy, active girl, and we will miss her laughter.
Sophia’s family and community still remember her by honoring her dreams and the way she was kind to others after this terrible event.