13-Year-Old Japanese Exchange Student Dies Days After Hastings Pool Rescue

The Hastings International Exchange Organization announced the tragic news on Sunday night. According to their statement, the young girl from Ozu, Japan, died at 12:38 a.m. on Sunday at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. She was in Hastings as part of a student exchange program. The organization expressed its deepest condolences to her family and friends.

“We also hope that citizens of Ozu, including the students who traveled to Hastings, and those who witnessed the events can find the strength to heal from this tragedy,” the organization stated.

The incident occurred just before 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon at the Hastings Aquacourt. According to city officials, the girl moved from the shallow end of the pool to the deep end, went underwater, and did not resurface. A lifeguard quickly pulled the unconscious teen from the water and initiated life-saving measures. She was transported by ambulance to a local hospital in critical condition and was later airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Omaha for further treatment.

In light of this incident, the city has decided to close the Aquacourt for the remainder of the season.