Families, Friends Commemorate Girl's Death Who Died in Lifeguard Program

July 15, 2009

Orange County, California - Friends and families of 11-year-old Allysa Squirrell who died after being hit by a lifeguard boat had commemorated her death by throwing flower wreaths in Huntington Beach on Wednesday.

Squirrell died after being hit by a lifeguard boat during a training course, with her back and legs severely injured by its propeller. She is the first junior lifeguard to die in the program’s 45-year history.

Reports said that Squirrell, along with 25 other junior lifeguards, was practicing speed drop, a technique in jumping off the boat to save someone from drowning, when she hit the boat’s propeller.

According to the autopsy, the girl died due to severe injuries she sustained on her back.

Meanwhile, Huntington Beach Marine Safety officials expressed their deepest regret on the girl’s death and had temporarily postponed the junior training program.