Mishap Forces Scott Pool to Close for the Day

At 4:20 p.m. July 5, Scott Pool Manager Ron Ellis ordered everyone out of the pool. A small boy, whose name was withheld, was flailing about in the 4-foot water, not far from the water slide. A lifeguard rushed to the boy’s aid. He tried to comfort the boy as Ellis called 911.

Ellis then tried to find a parent or guardian for the child by asking for someone to step forward over the PA system. A man, standing next to the boy, raised his hand. Apparently he was in shock and didn’t speak up as the lifeguard attempted to aid his child.

Many witnesses assumed it was a head trauma or near drowning, but Ellis said, “The boy was having difficulty breathing, but he was not drowning. His head and neck were above water the entire time.”

Ellis added, “Glendale paramedics responded to the call, reaching the pool within three minutes of the 911 call."

Ellis continued, “The boy’s father said that the boy had recently switched medications. We think there was something else going on."

“The guards did a tremendous job. My lifeguard stayed with the boy until paramedics arrived.”

It was the lifeguard’s first save.  Ellis praised the work of his young guard, "He identified that this boy's behavior was erratic, and jumped in and rescued him. Everyone did an amazing job. My guards, the paramedics, everyone."

It was an unusual event for the normally idyllic community pool.

“I’ve been with Scott Pool for 41 years and this is the only second close call we’ve had since I’ve been here. I didn’t feel right about reopening the pool today.”

Ellis and Assistant Pool Manager Monica Gigliotti decided to shut down the pool for the day due to the incident. Gigliotti said, “The pool will open tomorrow under regular hours.”