UPDATE: Boy Drowns At Resort
UPDATE: Boy Drowns At Resort Save Email Print
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UPDATED Thursday, December 4, 2008 --- 6:55 a.m.

The Baraboo News Republic reports:

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed last month in Sauk County Circuit Court by the parents of a 4-year-old who drowned last year at the Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort.

The suit, filed by the parents of the victim, Tyler Houtakker, of the Asbury, Iowa, claims Wilderness Hotel employees were negligent by failing to take notice of Tyler's distress in a wave pool that was not active, and for failing to enter the pool to perform a rescue.

Click HERE to read article in the Baraboo News Republic

_________________________________________________

Posted June 15, 2007 --- 10:15 a.m.

A police report on a drowning last week says a supervisor at the Wilderness Resort in Lake Delton told a lifeguard twice not to enter a pool to help a boy seen face-down in the water.

The report shows the supervisor instead had the lifeguard get someone swimming nearby to check on the child. When the boy was unresponsive, the patron brought him to the side of the pool and lifeguards tried to resuscitate him when he was pulled from the water.

The police report was released Thursday on the death last Friday evening of 4-year-old Tyler Houtakker of Asbury, Iowa.

Lake Delton Police Chief Tom Dorner says he doesn't expect charges to be filed against the resort. He says authorities don't suspect foul play, and it obviously was an accident.

Resort spokesman Joe Eck says lifeguards commonly enter the water when they feel someone is in danger, but it's a judgment call for the lifeguards and in this case it didn't seem like trouble.

The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to a Baraboo hospital.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: WOW Location: Lake Delton on Dec 8, 2008 at 09:19 PM
to anonymous @05:52PM Lifeguards are not babysitters no matter where you work.... I have been in civil service in the Dells for about 15 years, and it is the same old story..... Seem pretty bitter!! Wilderness fire you??
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:52 PM
I am a lifeguard who works at a resort in the dells,and I used to work at wilderness.The place is awful,we were not trained properly at all.I hope out of this lawsuit it will change how they do things there.Of course parents should watch there children,but sometimes they break and sneak away you wouldn't believe how many times ive seen it,thats what were there for.When someone becomes a lifeguard it is their responsibility to watch there water and help someone however it is needed,regardless if a parent is there or not.I am constantly doing surveillance on my water no matter what,and when i do have to go in which it happens,you get in there and you get them out! You dont watch them float and call your supervisor and file your nails till they get there,just thinking about it disgusts me,the supervisors are negligent and the guards are negligent for listening to it.I am proud of all the great guards in the dells,and there are many.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 06:29 AM
I think society should sue the parents for having a child and not watching them. The resort is not at fault-you are for not watching your kid. And shame on you for being greedy and thinking that any amount of money will bring back your child or teach the resort a lesson. You disgust me and should not be parents.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 01:28 AM
Interesting that the majority of comments when this happened in 2007 cite the water park as the "bad guy", in 2008 almost every comment is dissing the parents. What changed?
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:36 PM
if anyone should be held criminally neglegent it should be the parents, more than likely they were consuming alcohol without a care in the world, than they hear that there son has died and they wanna blame someone else for not watching their child. make an example of these parents and throw out that civil suit and put one on them. this is like people blaming the police when someone puts themselves in a bad situation and something bad happens to them. take responsibility of your own safety and those you love, dont expect someone else to. who are you going to trust more to look out for your child a lifegaurd or yourself?????
Posted by: Pam on Dec 4, 2008 at 03:15 PM
A 4year old alone in a wave pool, it doesnt matter if the waves were on or not. 4 years old is not at all old enough to be out of the parents sight or grabbing distance. I am sure the parents feel terrible guilt, but to sue someone because you werent doing your job as a parent is also very sad.
Posted by: b on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:17 PM
My heart goes out to the family who lost their 4 year old......however, I raised 2 boys and I NEVER took my eye off them in a public place. It is the PARENTS responsibility to watch them at ALL TIMES!!! Do we know where or what THEY were doing at the time he drowned??
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:50 PM
We have two children, ages 4 and 18 months. We have just recently started taking them to water parks. I cannot believe how chaotic these places are...they are nothing but total money-making machines. We have been to two parks now and have never seen anyone who seems to be able to answer even the most basic of questions, yet alone make sure the areas are properly supervised. It's as if these places are just a big "free for all." We went with friends the last time and I could not believe how they just "let" their kids wonder off!! Even though the signs say that kids must be accompanied by an adult, I've never seen it enforced. I know plenty of parents who stay in their rooms and just send their kids down to play in the water parks or arcades while they play cards, drink, etc. Yes, these places are great fun, but if an emergency arose, I can't imagine anyone would know what to do. Lifeguards or not, you're on your own at these places, so STAY with your kids, not matter what their ages!!
Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Wonder how a lawsuit will help them. They weren't near the boy in the pool, and they admitted he probably didn't know how to swim. Seems negligent on the parents part to a) let him in the pool without being with him, and b) not being anywhere near so they could watch his every move. Sure the lifeguard could have acted differently. But the parents should never have let the child get into that situation in the first place.
Posted by: oh boy on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Very sad. Made even more sad by the fact that the parents are willing to sue the resort, but not willing to hold themselves accountable for not watching the boy; for not going into the pool with him, or even for watching him while he was in the pool. I feel sad for their loss. I feel more saddened that they are allowed to file a suit against anyone but themselves.
Posted by: Brenda on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:37 AM
To all the bloggers taking blame to the lifegard. of course there are plasable points here, BUT! how many people are they watching? 50-200??? Its not possible to watch every single person. This could have happened in a blink of an eye? What about the others in the pool? Are they neglant too? Parents are responsible for their kids period. Especially at 4 years old... wandered off? UIf that was the case they didn't watch them and probably not well at home either! meaning could have happened in their bathroom at home. As for "tryiong to watch severl kids? If you have 1 or 10 you're responsbile for all of them and that is just an excuse to dismiss your responsibilities.
Posted by: Bill on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:35 AM
This is crazy! I was an ocean lifeguard on the East Coast years ago on a 2 mile beach and yes parents need to watch their kids but it is the lifeguard or guards on duty that are responsible for the safety of the guests in or around the water! That's the job! When your up on the stand you can see everything! AND YOU RARELY TAKE YOUR EYES OFF OF THE WATER AND YOU KEEP TRACK OF THE GUESTS IN FRONT OF YOU! Keep everyone safe in or around the water! I hope the park gets sued! and they will make some major safety policy changes.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Where in the world were his parents! Parents looking for someone to blame should look in the mirror. What parent with any common sense would allow a 4 year old to go swimming alone. IT was your responsibility to monitor your child. The resort is there as backup, not as babysitters. I betcha they were as drunk as skunks. Shame on you for suing the resort. You should've known better.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:27 AM
this is very very sad no matter what, but what Must ask is how come this 4 year old boy was in the wave pool w/out his parents. take responsibilty for yourself and your children. people always seem to wanna blame someone else when in fact if the parents were there supervising their son he would still be alive
Posted by: Sue Location: Dane County on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:46 AM
This is very sad.. My Husband and I use to take our kids to the Wilderness when they were small.. WE never turned our backs just because there were lifeguards aplenty!! I don't know what happened in this situation.. BUT I do remember parents that would drop the kids by the pool and sit at the bar.. I agree Lifeguards are not babysitters.. and as far as the lawsuit.. all the money in the world will not bring that baby back.. deep sigh......Tragic accident indeed
Posted by: Anon Location: Madison on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:42 AM
The ONLY people at fault here are the parents. Who lets a 4 year old wander off in a swim park? Why wasn't a 4 year old child wearing floatation protection? This is just another case of parents wanting to point the blame away from their own negligent actions. Period. Don't blame the waterpark employees because the parents did not do their job.
Posted by: Brenda on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:31 AM
Suing a 3rd party for not watching your own child and expecting them to be responsible for your neglance? How sad!!!!! I feel for parentss losing a child... lost one myself to SIDS. But, I would never allow my kids especially under 8 to be anywhere I cannot see them! Especially around water! Business are in enough of a financial pinch how sad this is... god speed to call parties here. And hopefully maturity and responsibility will come to these parents, they will feel remorse but drop the suit.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:41 AM
heaven forbid you be responsible for watching your own kids! people have learned from our society that you don't need to hold yourself accountable as long as you can find someone with deep pockets to sue!
Posted by: t Location: janesville on Jun 29, 2007 at 01:04 PM
does anyone know has business slowed for them? i hope so
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 20, 2007 at 11:09 PM
My family and I have been to the Wilderness. I was very happy with the resort. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and I do reach out to the family in their time of loss, but I also have to join those that are asking, "Where were the parents?" I have three children ranging from 6-2yrs, and even though my 6yr old knows how to swim, I would NEVER leave any of them unattended at a pool, and if the parents where looking for him, then the appropriate people should have been notified immediately!!!! So that an immediate recover could have been placed into affect. Yes, the lifeguard is at fault for not reacting immediately, along with the supervisor, but lifeguard does not also spell BABYSITTER!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: WI Dells on Jun 19, 2007 at 06:32 PM
I am a lifeguard and that was simply the most stupidest decision I have ever heard of, my supervisor would of pushed me into the water that is stupid lifeguarding skills and poor management i hope this opens the eyes of all lifeguards and I hope that charges are pressed against the supervisior and the lifeguard is terminated, and I hope this also goes to show to parents that lifeguards are not paid to "babysit" thier young children it is our job to maintain the safety of the guest at the waterpark this is everyones fault the parents for not using a lifejacket and not watching the child and the supervisor for poor judgement and the lifeguard for not going for thier gut instinct this should of never happened if these simple precautions would have been taken! I am inferiorated and if I had worked for Wilderness at the time I would have quit on the spot knowing what happened there are other places that need lifeguards and good lifeguards shame on everyone involved!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: anonymous Location: madison. on Jun 19, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Yes, the parents should have been keeping a better eye on theie kids, but have you ever tried to keep track of a kid this age? And the siblings, too? Maybe the parents were trying to find him the whole time. I am sure the water park was crowded and the kids excited and running around. It was an accident which means it was no one person's fault. Although I do wonder why a life guard has to ask permission from a supervisor to check on a child who may be drowning. I once saw a child who was in trouble in the water and he appeared so calm, lifting his head up out of the water to take a breath even, that I assumed he was swimming for about 20-30 seconds since he wasn't splashing and panicking like they do on TV. Luckily he was ok. My hearts go out to the Family. I am sure they are already blaming themselves, w/o us joining in.
Posted by: Jane on Jun 19, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Well, I don't think I will be taking my childeren to the Wilderness to swim. I hope they re-evaluate their policies
Posted by: Ginger Location: Prairie du Sac on Jun 18, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Shame on you lifeguards for not knowing common sense! If a child is face down, you are getting paid for what? Isn't it your job to save them!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: McFarland on Jun 18, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Like everyone else, where were the child's parents? I would like to know where the lifeguard went through his/her training. When are lifeguards trained not to respond to a potential situation? It's not the responsibility of the person swimming near by to check on a child floating face down. That is what lifeguards get paid for. I hope that the resort looks into some sort of disipline against this lifeguard if not, thats too bad. Now lifeguards have one less thing to do and still get paid for.
Posted by: max Location: Madison on Jun 18, 2007 at 03:08 PM
You have to be kidding to the person that says drownings happen at waterparks and he appears to believe this was no big deal because it happens all the time????? It doesn't happen all the time in that you have a situation in which the body is seen laying on the bottom of the pool and a supervisor saying we don't want to go into the water to rescue the person because it might create a scene as it might set a bad example for the resort. No indeed this type of inexcusable behavior does not happen all the time at waterparks. The Wildeness apparently doesn't do a good job of either giving their lifeguards the fredom to make good decisions or promote employees that have brains greater than a pet rock - the ultimate responsibility is on the parents who should have been watching their child regardless of a ineffective life guard being on duty and the dumb as a rock supervisor - "why is he/she a supervisor -it might upset the guests if we jump in to save someone" but of course it is not upsetting to pull a body out of the pool and have the coroner and rescue squad respond - Would it not be better to pull the life guards and have people swim on their own, perhaps then people would watch their kids closer and the Wilderness would not have to go through a charade of providing a life saving service -
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Jun 18, 2007 at 11:44 AM
First of all, the parents were irresponsible to leave a 4 year old unattended in a pool!! They are ultimately to blame for this. Where were they? Secondly, it was the lifeguards job to save the little boy regardless of what the supervisor had to say. They are all to blame, but I blame the parents first!
Posted by: anonymous Location: lake delton on Jun 18, 2007 at 11:37 AM
First my condolences go out to this little boys family. I believe that all three parties are responsible. Had the parents been watching their child, had the lifeguard just went in the water when he/she first spotted the boy, and the had the supervisor not made such a POOR decision this little boy may still be alive! I don't understand why a guest would be angry when a lifeguard jumps in the water to potentially save someones life whether it's a false alarm or not that is their job! I would be happy to see that the lifeguard is on their toes and doing a good job. I do believe that money talks in this town, had it been a smaller resort or motel fines probably would have been handed out. I have yet to see a wilderness bus get pulled over for speeding, they zip back and forth all day exceeding the speed limit and the LAKE DELTON POLICE DO NOTHING, it seems as though they are untouchable. They also break FCC rules by interfering with the TV attena. Every time they talk on their bus radios it interferes with the TV. I have contacted the FCC and they said due to lack of man power on their end I needed to contact the police department, and of course the problem still continues!!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 18, 2007 at 10:17 AM
WHERE WERE THE PARENTS?????
Posted by: Jennifer Location: Wisconsin Dells on Jun 18, 2007 at 05:52 AM
First, I would like to say that where were the parents??I have a 4 year old child and am never more than an arms reach from him when he is swimming.However their are circumstances where you do need that seond set of eyes even for a moment. Second, the people in that field are called "LIFEGUARDS" for a reason. If I was in that lifeguard's position I would have risked getting fired and saving a life then letting a little boy tragically lose his life. Hopefully Wilderness Resort gets the penalties it deserves, and the waterpark is closed down til the waterpark team gets their act straightened out, or is investigated by someone for their safety standards. Next, I think it is sick how this town cares more about their "positive tourist image" then a 4 year old's life. They hire cheap help from across seas and save a ton of money but don't take that extra time or money to train their employees...hopefully Wilderness and other have learned from this experience, and that supervisor never gets a job in this field again!!!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: McFarland on Jun 16, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Parents many times will think that their children are fine and leave them alone in water that is too dangerous for them. I know, I'm lifeguard (and a mother). I pulled out a little boy in water that was too deep for him and he was struggling to get above the water. As I brought the child to the side of the pool, the father asked me why I did that, that his child could swim just fine! Obviously not! There is neglegence in this horrible story but there is not just one person to point fingers at in this situation. It is the parents, the lifeguard and the supervisor. All are to blame. Thoughts and prayers to the family. And whoever commented that the child should have been with a parent or an older sibling... no, older siblings are NOT the answer. Adults are the answer.
Posted by: Todd Location: Richland Center on Jun 16, 2007 at 01:43 PM
What in the world is sensationalizing about a police report that has quotes from the supervisor and statements from the resorts marketing director?! If you're accusing the media of biased reporting, you better contact the Lake Delton Police Department about biased reporting. Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe the parents are responsible too, but these resorts hire and train lifeguard staff to prevent incidents like this. This is exactly what they're supposed to be trained for. What to look for...how to react...and how to respond. I would hope good citizens would assist too, but at the end of the day, I sure hope the "trained" lifeguards are doing their job, otherwise why are they there? This is absolute negligence and beyond comprehension. How can a supervisor justify not assisting a child that is motionless in water, have a guest assist, then the resort say they did everything they could? It doesn't sound like a lifeguard ever even went into the pool! I'm in shock!! From what I've seen, the Wilderness is a beautiful resort...and a very poorly managed one. How could you feel comfortable there? I know I wouldn't.
Posted by: Staci Location: Dane County on Jun 16, 2007 at 11:15 AM
After reading all these comments, I have a lot of things to say. First, where were the parents? The boy was 4 YEARS OLD! Second, why in the world did the lifeguard want permission or wait to get it from the supervisor? Third, I am sure they didn't do all they could have done or they would have gotten in the water sooner. Fourth, maybe all the other people in the pool were not paying attention to someone else's kid that is why more people weren't being good citizens. THEY WERE ON VACATION!! Also in a previous statement someone said that a lot of parents just leave their kids there and the lifeguards are then babysitting. If that is the case, why are we talking about good citizens doing something? If most of them are kids they would probably think he's playing or something. Fifth, whether it is two lifeguards or ten lifeguards their job is to watch over the pool and make sure everyone is being safe. Sixth, I think this is really horrible and I hope that the parents do take some sort of action against the resort. (My opinions are based off of the facts that are in the news report and the comments made before mine)
Posted by: Tammy Location: Janesville on Jun 16, 2007 at 09:41 AM
to karen in baraboo, yes the lifeguards tried to save the boy AFTER it was too late and AFTER a PATRON pulled him in to the lifeguards that were told by supervisor TWICE NOT to go in after him because they didnt want to upset any guests. IMeadiatly after they thought there was a potencial problem they should have gone in !! false alamrn or not!!!
Posted by: Dana Stricker Location: Edgerton Wisconsin on Jun 16, 2007 at 09:14 AM
I'm sorry. Were those that were swimming around this poor child lifeguards? Then why did the lifeguard on duty and the supervisor have said people do their job? He was four years old and died surrounded by all sorts of people,at least two of which were there to protect him. What a horrible tragedy.
Posted by: Stacey Location: portage on Jun 15, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Many of these lifeguards are teens and it is their first job.I'm familiar with the area and summer employees and I've heard that resort patrons aren't always watchful of their children. Young, inexperienced staff, poor resort policies and careless parenting contributed to this death. It is time for a major overhaul in safety throughout the Dells.
Posted by: Karen Location: Baraboo on Jun 15, 2007 at 10:10 PM
First my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of that dear little boy. Sometimes it takes things like this to make us appreciate what is important .... Our children ... I think sometimes we tend to rush to judgment in our fast paced ... media frenzied world....where we can get news at the drop of a hat... unfortunately the news we get isnt always as accurate as it should be. We don't always get the entire truth right away ... and I guess I dont want to rush in my judgment of what may or may not have happened here. I have been to this Resort and it has always appeared to me that the lifeguards had the safety of the many people they have to watch. I have also seen many people with children, leave those children in the water park,while the adults go and do other things in the resort thinking that the lifeguards were there to personally babysit their children. There are many signs posted in any of these water parks about not leaving their young children unattended in these parks. From what I have read about this it was an accident and that the life guards did try to save the life of that little boy. I give those life guards a lot of credit for that would have been a very hard task to do. I am sure they did all that they could to save this little person. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well.
Posted by: Ted on Jun 15, 2007 at 09:38 PM
yes parents are ultimately responsible for their own kids.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Baraboo on Jun 15, 2007 at 07:30 PM
How dare anyone try to justify such a horrible event by saying "many waterparks across the nation have experienced drownings". You clearly are an employee at the wilderness trying to save face. There is NO excuse for this, and ignorant comments like this are the reason people can get away with this! Shame on you! Accident yes. Preventable. YES!! Train your lifeguards and Supervisors Wilderness employee!!
Posted by: Michelle Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 07:28 PM
How can it not seem like trouble when a child is face down and not moving. Shame on the supervisor, he/she should be fired. And to have a nearby patron check on him, is that not the lifeguards duty. Shame on the lifeguard also.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 06:32 PM
Are we not as parents responsible for our own children? Shame on all of you for passing judgment. Media always sensationalizes their articles to get this kind of reaction. We need to rememeber not all of us were there and there are two sides to every story. If any of you have ever vacationed or visited any water park, they are packed. Should it not be the responsibitlity of good citizens to be proactive if someone is in need of help or should we leave to a couple of lifeguards watching hundreds of patrons. I am not excusing what happened to be ok but there were more people there than just a life guard or supervisor. The Wilderness is a beatiful and relaxing resort please do not let this one accident hinder your decision to visit there. Please remember there are many water parks across the nation who have experienced drownings,this is not the first time a child has drowned at a water park. May my thoughts and prays go to those who have lost their little ones in a tragedy.
Posted by: lynne Location: middleton on Jun 15, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Why are charges NOT being filed? What's the point of having lifeguards if you won't let them do their job? sounds pretty negligent to me.
Posted by: Tina Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 06:26 PM
that supervisor should face criminal charges, as this is entirely unconscionable -- if they don't understand that a child face down in a pool is an emergency, they shouldn't be anywhere near a pool with children -- one reason why I have NEVER trusted so-called lifeguards at hotels, resorts, etc., they often simply do not know what they should
Posted by: Rhonda Location: Illinois on Jun 15, 2007 at 05:27 PM
We were there when this happened. I don't understand why anyone would hesitate at all to help a child. Instinct would tell you a four year old would not be playing face down in a pool. I will never forget seeing that little boy carried out. I don't understand where the parents were, it's unfortunate that he was not supervised and that nobody jumped in. Who knows what a few seconds could have done. Maybe saved his life. I can not imagine how his parents must feel. They will have to live with the guilt for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: Robert Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 04:57 PM
To be face down in the water and unconscience that boy had to have been in that position for a couple minutes. If the lifeguard team did there job they would be scanning the pool and noticed the boy right away and determined if it was an emergancy. I don't know many 4yr olds that can hold their breath too long. I have been to the Wilderness and would never let my 4yr old in a wavepool alone. Shame on the lifegaurds and Shame on the Parents. Both are to blame!!
Posted by: Theresa Location: Dickeyville on Jun 15, 2007 at 04:44 PM
I'm a mother of a 3 yr old and an 18 month old, and my heart goes out to the family of this little boy. However, although I know kids can seem impossible to keep track of, I'd be darn sure I sure where they are every second we were in or near water. Further, what safety standards does this place have that after a short time, a motionless child isn't an indication that something is terribly wrong? Criminally stupid is the best description I've seen for this, and I hope there are serious ramifications for this resort.
Posted by: Janet Location: Darlington on Jun 15, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Why isn't a four-year-old within reach of his parent(s) or much older sibling while at a water park? I've never been to the Wilderness, but my other water park experiences have always had fast-moving water and my daughters were always in my reach until they had at least 3 years of swimming lessons. However, telling a lifeguard not to go in the water when someone is facedown seems criminally stupid!
Posted by: Sarah Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 04:23 PM
It makes me sick to my stomach that something like this can happen and no one seems to be held accountable. Are they still open? I love the Dells and vacation there, but will NEVER go there! Just horrible!
Posted by: Sun Prairie on Jun 15, 2007 at 03:55 PM
Since when do life guards not check on possible problems? My experience with pools is the pool should have been cleared when there was a suspected problem. This is a horrible incident & based on the news report poor action used by the supervisor of the pool for not allowing the lifeguard to do his/her job as they are trained. Most people are more relieved to see a child or person is okay than being upset by having the pool cleared. There have also been pools I have been to that clear the pool something like every 30 minutes to verify there is no one at the bottom or floating unresponsive. Do these resorts not share these policies, especially with as many people they usually have there? I am extremly disappointed in the actions of the supervisor and too bad the lifeguard wasn't sure enough to take action. It is a shame the pool & resorts "image" is more important than a little boy's (or anyone elses) life.
Posted by: Jake Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 03:14 PM
The resort says it didn't seem like trouble, even though the kid was floating face down in the pool??? I guess I'm just going to scratch this place off my list of potential vacation stops.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: marshall on Jun 15, 2007 at 12:41 PM
the lifeguard should have just went into the water to check on the child. why would they need permission, isn't it their job. i think the supervisor should also be held responsible!!!! ever hear the saying better safe than sorry??
Posted by: tim Location: Arlington Hights IL. on Jun 15, 2007 at 12:30 PM
I agree with both of you 100% but I would like to know, where were the parents during all of this. I never lost sight of my daughter when we visited a dells water park, and I sure as hell wouldnt let her go off to another section of the water park with out me.
Posted by: Rachel Location: Monroe on Jun 15, 2007 at 12:24 PM
That's just plain rediculous and irresponsible not only on the lifeguard's part but also on the supervior's part! What's the point of having lifeguard's if they're not going to take on the full responsibility of being a lifeguard even if it means going against your supervisor's orders and actually saving someone's life!!
Posted by: Tim Location: Madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 12:19 PM
I can guarantee that I will not be using my tourism dollars at this resort ever again. What supervisor would ever give that order, and too bad that the lifeguard choose to listen to it.
Posted by: gary Location: madison on Jun 15, 2007 at 11:43 AM
What a joke! The supervisor said not to enter pool? He should be fired immediately and I hope the resort has good liability insurance as I think they will need it1
Posted by: Tammy Location: janesville on Jun 15, 2007 at 11:39 AM
I forgot to mention. shame on life guard for listening to supervisors wishes. if you need to save a life who needs permission??!!!
Posted by: Tammy Location: janesville on Jun 15, 2007 at 11:37 AM
i read another article that said they dont like the life guards to go into the water because it will upset the swimmers. what a line of garbage. i dont know anyone that would be upset even is a false alarm if yuor going in there to save a life. to bad if people have to get out of pool for a while to have a life saved. i doent seem worth it to me that a boy died because you dont want to upset anybody. how upset do you think the family is!!!????
Posted by: christina Location: sauk city on Jun 15, 2007 at 10:51 AM
That lifeguard should have been in the pool to help that boy . That is a lifeguard's job !! If they would have reacted sooner , maybe we wouldnt of had that happen to a wonderfull little 4 year old boy !!
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Experience our area's best businesses at a Half-Off price.
What's On?
Click here to see our program guide.
Perfect Home
Find out how to make your perfect home.
The Health Professional
Find answers to your health questions.
Bike MS
Join us as we ride the open road to fight MS