Two girls, 3 and 5, rushed to hospital after near-drowning; both in critical condition

SAN ANTONIO -Two young girls were taken to the hospital after a reported drowning incident at a pool where a family party was underway, police said.

Just before 7 p.m. on Friday, police were called to the scene of a reported drowning at an apartment complex near the corner of Theis Drive and S WW White Road.

Sgt. Lee Holderby said officers with the E B ship responded after getting “a call for a drowning out here,” though the initial information “was static.” He said the call initially indicated “seven-year-old girls were were drowned or were drowning,” but once officers arrived, they learned the children were 3 and 5 years old.

Holderby said that when officers reached the scene, “The little girls were already outside of the pool.” He said family members were trying to help them when police arrived.

“The family was attempting to do CPR on them, so the officers in the location right away picked them up, took them up, took them to the EMS ambulance,” Holderby said.

Holderby said the girls were transported to Children’s Hospital and that “as of right now, they are both in this condition,” later adding that “they’re both in good condition.”

Asked whether the children were unattended, Holderby said, “No, they were not unattended.” He said “it was a little party that was going on here,” and “there was a lot of people here.”

He said the incident remains under investigation. “Well, we’re still investigating, so we can’t really give out all the details just yet,” Holderby said. “It was just an accident that occurred.”

Holderby said adults at the pool noticed the girls and acted quickly.

“The adults right away, they noticed, and they jumped in and took the children out and then attempted to do the CPR,” he said.

Holderby said he did not know whether the girls could swim, adding, “We don’t know as of right now.”

He urged families to stay vigilant around water. “Always, always keep an eye on your children. Always, always, because it can happen,” Holderby said. “That happened in a split second.” He also suggested using “the little swimmer things, the little floaties” for children who do not know how to swim.

Holderby said detectives were being contacted and would either respond to the scene or witnesses would be taken to headquarters as the investigation continues.