GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – A 4-year-old child died on Sunday after drowning in a pool at a Galveston hotel, the Galveston Police Department said.
Officers said they received a call about the drowning that happened at the Moody Gardens Hotel pool at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The Galveston Fire Department and Galveston Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene.
Witnesses took Asher Rayburn, of Paris, Texas, out of the water and tried to save the child’s life. When first responders arrived, they took over the lifesaving measures. The child and family were later taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, police said. Asher died Sunday morning, and the case is still being investigated.
“The Galveston Police Department would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends directly impacted by this tragic loss,” authorities said.
Moody Gardens Hotel released a statement yesterday on what they said was a “heartbreaking incident.”
“The management and staff at Moody Gardens are devastated by this tragic event, and have been working with the authorities as they conduct their investigation to understand the circumstances that led to this incident,” the statement said.
Moody Gardens’ President/CEO John Zendt asked for the support and prayers of the community for the family during this time.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred Saturday evening at our hotel,” Zendt said. “As a parent and grandparent, my heart breaks for this family. We urge everyone to keep this family in their closest prayers. We kindly ask for the media’s and public’s understanding and respect for the privacy of the affected family during this profoundly difficult time and all of the other families staying with us. This is a situation that is difficult for anyone to process, especially those who were here and are a part of the Moody Gardens family.”