Guest safety always has been and will continue to be our number one priority.” Those were the words of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts CEO John Lawn that rang out all over the state of Pennsylvania following a senseless tragedy at Hersheypark’s Boardwalk water park.

Lifeguards noticed that the girl was in distress and tried to rescue her, according to the park, which said that the pool remained closed on Friday.

An eyewitness described extremely crowded conditions at the Boardwalk at Hersheypark Thursday and saw the emergency response.