ORANGE COUNTY, Fla — Authorities said an 11-year-old New York girl was electrocuted while trying to retrieve a ball from a pond at a time-share resort's miniature golf course near Orlando.
Deputies said 11-year-old Ashton Jojo screamed in distress when she tried to get her ball out of a shallow pond on the putt-putt golf course inside the Holiday Inn Orange Lake Resort on U.S. Highway 192.
Orange Lake Resort guest Christopher Burges of Alabama heard her screams and tried to rescue her. He was also injured.
The girl died shortly after arriving at Florida Hospital Celebration.
Jojo just celebrated her 11th birthday on Friday.
The resort is located near the intersection of US 27 and Highway 1-92, just west of Walt Disney World. It's a complex filled with recreation areas, including several swimming pools, as well as ponds adjacent to the putt-putt golf area.
A medical examiner confirmed electrocution as the cause of death Thursday. Inspectors said it appeared that electrical breakers for the pond's pump were improperly replaced.
Fred Cowens had played the course with his children earlier in the day and said he's been coming to the Orange Lake Resort for years.
"We were actually over there at the pool when it happened and they shut everything down and wouldn't give us any additional information," said Cowen.
When WFTV saw the pond drained and a sign outside showing the course was closed on Thursday.
Authorities said the Latham, N.Y., girl turned 11 on Friday. She was visiting Orlando with her parents and a brother. He was also checked out at the hospital, but apparently wasn't injured.
WFTV
