6-year-old drowns in neighbor’s pool, Pennsylvania cops say. ‘The light of our lives’
A 6-year-old who just completed kindergarten drowned in a neighbor’s pool, according to Pennsylvania police and media reports.
The drowning reportedly happened at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 31, in Smith Township, 25 miles west of Pittsburgh.
Gunner “Bean” McMillan went into a neighbor’s pool with another child while the homeowner was working in his garage, according to KDKA.
The other boy called for help when Gunner went into the deep end, KDKA reported.
A bystander found Gunner and first responders performed life-saving measures for 45 minutes, according to WPXI. Gunner died after being flown to a Pittsburgh hospital, the station said.
Therese Presutti described Gunner as “the sweetest little kid” who would often ride his bicycle near her, WPXI reported.
“He was a single child, the light of our lives,” a relative said in a GoFundMe.
Gunner had recently completed his kindergarten year at Burgettstown Area Elementary Center, the district’s superintendent said in a letter to parents obtained by WTAE.
“A student death is a sensitive issue and we want to handle it as such,” the superintendent said. “Sudden death is always painful, and difficult to understand.”
What to know about drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 8:00 AM with the headline "6-year-old drowns in neighbor’s pool, Pennsylvania cops say. ‘The light of our lives’."