On Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9-year-old Sophia Subedi tragically passed away after an incident at the wave pool in The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, 9-year-old Sophia Subedi tragically passed away after an incident at the wave pool in The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania. Sophia, who had recently completed third grade at North Side Elementary School in Harrisburg, was preparing to enter fourth grade in the upcoming school year. She had moved with her family from Columbus, Ohio, to Harrisburg in 2022. WGAL

The Dauphin County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Sophia died from accidental freshwater drowning, and there was no underlying medical condition that contributed to the incident. At the time of the incident, there were 10 lifeguards specifically assigned to the wave pool, all trained and certified through Ellis & Associates. Lifeguards and medical personnel performed immediate life-saving efforts, but Sophia was later pronounced dead at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. People.comWGAL

Sophia was described by her family and community as a bright, kind, and loving young girl who brought joy and light to everyone who knew her. She had a passion for reading, music, and painting, and dreamed of becoming a teacher. Her sudden loss has deeply affected the Bhutanese community in Harrisburg. People.com

A funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Jesse H. Geigle Funeral Home in Harrisburg. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Sophia’s family during this difficult time. WGAL