ORLANDO, Fla.,None — A tourist died after being pulled from an attraction at SeaWorld's Aquatica water park (see map) late Monday morning, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. Lifeguards at Aquatica tried, but couldn't save the 68-year-old man.
"We saw the team of people just giving the guy CPR. We saw him just flat on the ground," witness Marc Villanueva said.
Lifeguards spotted the 68-year-old tourist face down in an attraction called Roa's Rapids, a faster version of a lazy river. One couple walked by moments after lifeguards pulled him out.
"I saw him there and I couldn't tell if he drowned in the water and maybe had a heart attack before going in. We didn't know if it was going in and out," witness Kris Arpino said.
The sheriff's office has released little information about the circumstances surrounding incident. The call came in as a near-drowning, but at this point investigators are waiting on the medical examiner's office.
"We don't know if we are looking at anything nefarious right now. We're just looking at all the angles. Once the medical examiner rules, we will have more information," said Jeff Williamson, Orange County Sheriff's Office.
SeaWorld says Roa's Rapids is a faster, more aggressive version of the typical lazy river. Life-jackets are optional for adults and park guests WFTV spoke with said there are plenty of signs warning people.
"There were some parts of the ground that were slippery, so I could see how someone's foot would slide out and you would fall under," Arpino said.
Orange County Fire Rescue said the man's condition had improved before he was transported to Dr. Phillips Hospital, but the sheriff's office said the man was pronounced dead just before noon Monday.
The sheriff's office said he lived outside the country. Investigators won't release his name until next of kin overseas is notified.
SeaWorld spokesman, Nick Gollattscheck, released a statement Monday afternoon saying, "This morning, October 4, shortly after 11 am, a 68-year-old visitor to Aquatica was found unresponsive. The park's lifeguards responded quickly and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The man was transported by ambulance to Dr. Phillips Hospital. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our guests and employees. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time."
WFTV was told that the man was with his wife and he was wearing a life-jacket.
One couple said they spotted people not following the safety rules.
"Signs everywhere saying every guest must be in a tube, but then there are people swimming around without them and the lifeguards aren't doing anything about it," park guest Claire Welham said.
SeaWorld wouldn't discuss how many lifeguards were stationed at the attraction, but said life-jackets are required for anyone under 51 inches.
WFTV
