[Park Hopper]

Orlando news outlets are reporting tonight that a 12-year-old girl has died after passing out at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon. Here's an early story from the Orlando Sentinel:

By Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writer
A 12-year-old girl died tonight after passing out at the wave pool at Diseny's Typhoon Lagoon, marking the third time in three months that a young person has suddenly fallen critically ill at the Walt Disney World theme park.

The girl was sitting by herself on simulated islands that dot the water park's wave pool about 6 p.m. when a lifeguard approached her to check on her, said Orange County Sheriff's spokeswoman Crystal Candy.

The child, who was visiting with cousins and an aunt from Newport News, Virginia, told the lifeguard she was fine and wanted them to leave her alone. But when she stood up, she immediately passed out and the lifeguard signaled for help. Some called 9-1-1, while others monitored the girl's vital signs, said Kim Prunty, a spokeswoman for Disney.

The girl's pulse stopped and she stopped breathing, so lifeguards began CPR. But it was too late. Reedy Creek Fire & Rescue transported her to Florida Hospital Celebration Health where she was pronounced dead.

"It is mysterious," said Candy. She declined to identify the girl pending notification of her parents, who were not on the trip.

[tiggerfan74]

Very possible this was heat related???? I know if I don't eat and keep hydrated I have problems in this Florida heat. I myself have passed out at WDW in August! It's unbearable and I have refused to go during that time ever since. I am truly sorry for the family , however. I really hate to hear of things like this.

[BDavis932]

How terribly sad. My heart breaks for the parents and family of this little girl.

[skwak]

I agree, very sad. You never think this could happen to your kids but it makes you reflect.

[dznygrl]

Oh my! That's awful!

Tiggerfan, heat/dehydration was the first thing I thought too. I have ended up extremely dehydrated at the water parks, and when combined with the heat it can be a lethal combination.

I really hope Disney doesn't get blamed for this incident, too.

Oh, what an awful thing to have happen on that family's vacation!!

[Crazy4Disney]

How very sad. I can't imagine how heart broken her parents will be to find out this happend on what is suppost to be the time of a child life . :(

[ddoll]

Gee, I'm here at WDW and never heard anything about it. Talk about a bad run of luck for Disney!!!

Just FYI, passing out from the heat wouldn't cause death all by itself. Not that that fact will stop the news from making this sound like Disney's to blame.

[TravelingMatt]

This is very tragic and my heart goes out to the family during their time of mourning. I cannot imagine their pain and heart ache, but my prayers are with them.

That being said, I hope no one jumps to conclusions until a complete and thorough investigation is conducted. It's easy and popular in our culture of lawsuits to blame the big, bad corporation, but doing that is needless and hurtfully judgmental at the expense of truth.

[Ready2Go]

Man, what can you say when a child dies. She has her wings now.

[JungleJim]

That is a parent's worst nightmare. I can't even imagine being the aunt who was responsible for her.

Prayers go out to her family...............

[inluvwithdisney]

This is so tragic! My prayers go out to her family!!

[MJD]

This is very tragic! I feel so bad for the parents. The few people I spoke to that have been to WDW this summer said "the heat was bad". When going to WDW in the hot weather, especially in the summer people should take precautions with thier children.

MJD

[catfish1999]

Originally Posted by ddoll

Gee, I'm here at WDW and never heard anything about it. Talk about a bad run of luck for Disney!!!

Just FYI, passing out from the heat wouldn't cause death all by itself. Not that that fact will stop the news from making this sound like Disney's to blame.

Ddoll,
I rather think this is a "run of bad luck" for the family involved. Pardon me for saying so, but I feel your reaction was a bit insensitive.

My heart goes out to the family of this girl.

[DisneyDude85]

This is not a good year for Disney World since its suppose to be "the happiest celebration on Earth."

Prayers go out to the girl's family. I just hope this makes people to get checked out to ensure they have a clean bill of health before going anywhere.

[fearless1123]

I WAS pre-planning a trip for next Aug because it is the only time all 5 of us can go together now that DD is starting college but I changed my mind after I did some research. So, primarily because of the heat, I am changing my plans to go in my fav month (May) without DD. She said it was okay - we may take her to see mountains instead...but I digress...
I have already prayed for this family and added in the aunt/responsible adult after Jungle Jim's post reminded me of this person's pain - hope some of you do the same.