Boy, 11, dies at waterpark after suffering heart attack while in line for a slide – Mom found him ‘blue and purple’
AN 11-year-old boy has tragically died following a heart attack he suffered at a waterpark.
Richard Weinert-Soto collapsed as he was waiting in line for a slide at Adventure Park in Visalia, California, around 40 miles south of Fresno, on Saturday.
Weinert-Soto had been waiting at the top of a waterslide when the medical emergency happened.
Visalia Adventure Park officials shared that their CPR certified tried to save the boy before medical professionals arrived on scene around 5 pm, according to a statement.
The park revealed that Weinert-Soto had suffered from a cardiac emergency.
He was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:26 pm.
His mother Maria Velasco shared the heartbreaking way she had found her young son, according to NBC affiliate KSEE.
“This little girl comes and she tells me, ‘I think your little boy is laying up there,'” she said.
“And so I ran up there and he was blue and purple,” she added.
The boy had been born with a heart and lung condition.
His family shared tributes to the young boy on a GoFundMe page set up to help cover his funeral expenses.
“He was the happiest, most loving, and kind boy,” the family wrote.
“He enjoyed singing at his church, talking about God’s love and making his friends and family laugh.”
His family shared that Weinert-Soto’s heart had stopped at the waterpark.
“He fought until the end and left many beautiful memories behind,” the tribute said.
“He was a friend to all and we would appreciate any help or assistance to lay our Angel Richard to rest.”
His family thanked the local community as well as the park staff and emergency serveries for their work.
The fundraizer has raised over $24,000 so far.
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