Update: Boy nearly drowns in wave pool at Wild Waterworks in Hamilton

A boy, believed to be 11, was brought to hospital “in serious but stable condition” after lifeguards pulled him out from the deep end of the wave pool at Wild Waterworks in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Hamilton paramedics were called to the water park over a possible drowning.

They arrived at the Hamilton water park, which is owned by the City of Hamilton and run by the Hamilton Conservation Authority, just after noon on July 26.

“Hamilton Fire and EMS responded to the scene shortly afterwards to provide medical assistance,” said Sarah Gauden, spokesperson for the Hamilton Conservation Authority, in an email to hamilton.insauga.com today (July 27). “The patron was breathing and was transported to the hospital for treatment, where they are in serious but stable condition. This is all the information that we have available at this time.”

The boy “was speaking with Paramedics en route to the hospital,” said David Thompson, superintendent at Hamilton Paramedic Services, in an email to hamilton.insauga.com.

Thompson said he didn’t have further details or immediate updates on the condition of the boy.

When asked if an adult was supervising the boy during the time of the incident, Gauden said she didn’t have that information.

Gauden said facility rules and safety information are posted prominently at the site. “Our facility rules outline lifejacket, safety and supervision requirements,” she said. “Lifejackets are available free of charge to all patrons. The safety and well-being of our patrons and employees is our first priority in our operations, and we hope the patron and their family are recovering and doing well after this incident.”

The wave pool was closed for a period of time Wednesday afternoon and has now reopened, she added.

The water park has one of Canada’s largest outdoor wave pools. For safety reasons, it said it is operating on a modified schedule because of the shortage of lifeguards.

The park operates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday) and on the following holidays: Monday, Aug. 7 and Monday, Sept. 4.