Tragic Pool Accident: 9-Year-Old Drowns After Days of Swimming Lessons
Heartbroken Family Remembers 9-Year-Old Ava McCourt: 'She Was Our Whole World
9-Year-Old Ava McCourt Drowns in Ohio Pool Despite Supervision and Recent Swim Lessons
A tragic accident claimed the life of 9-year-old Ava McCourt on June 28, after she drowned in a swimming pool in Tiffin, Ohio.
According to the Seneca County Coroner’s Office and family members, Ava had recently begun swimming lessons with her loved ones. Her aunt, Jaimee Sergent, shared with PEOPLE that Ava was eager to learn and had been enjoying her time in the water.
“Ava was always eager to learn,” Sergent said, recalling her niece’s enthusiasm during her early lessons.
On the day of the incident, approximately 20 people were gathered at the pool, and Ava was reportedly under the watchful eyes of family and bystanders. However, tragedy struck in what Sergent described as a “split second.”
Ava had been making her way along the edge of the pool when she suddenly disappeared from view. “Panic immediately set in,” Sergent recalled.
Despite immediate efforts to find and resuscitate her, Ava could not be saved.
The heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly drowning can occur, even when supervision is present and precautions are taken. Ava’s family continues to mourn the devastating loss of a vibrant young girl who brought joy to everyone around her.
“She was our whole world,” her aunt said.
‘She Was Our Whole World’: 9-Year-Old Ava McCourt Drowns in Ohio Pool Despite Supervision and Recent Swim Lessons
Ava McCourt, a 9-year-old girl from Ohio, tragically lost her life on June 28 after drowning in a swimming pool in Tiffin. Despite recent swimming lessons and the presence of multiple adults and children at the pool, Ava's disappearance happened in an instant.
The Seneca County Coroner's Office confirmed Ava’s death and noted that her body has been sent for an autopsy, with the final pathology report still pending.
According to WTVG, a woman who said she had been giving Ava swimming lessons told local police that when she noticed Ava was missing, people around the pool began searching frantically.
Jaimee Sergent, Ava’s aunt, told PEOPLE that a grandmother visiting the pool with her 13-year-old grandson ultimately spotted Ava near the bottom of the water. Both the teenager and Ava's stepmother immediately jumped into the pool to retrieve her.
Miraculously, an off-duty EMT happened to be at the scene and immediately began administering CPR. Emergency medical services arrived shortly after and took over life-saving efforts.
"Authorities did everything within their power" to save Ava, Sergent said. Though their efforts were unsuccessful, the family finds comfort in their faith. "We take solace in the fact that God was there to hold her hand and take her home," she said. “Now she’s dancing with the Lord in the stars.”
The heartbreaking loss has left Ava’s family devastated. Sergent described her niece as a bright light in their lives — someone who brought joy and laughter to everyone she met.
“She was our whole world,” she said. “She lit up a room without even blinking.”
“My little niece was the ray of sunshine sneaking through a thunderstorm,” Sergent continued. “She could always find a way to make everyone giggle. She was loved and cherished by so many.”
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral expenses and to raise awareness about drowning prevention. Sergent says she hopes to honor Ava’s memory by helping prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
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