Gerrard Kaonga
A family’s fun day out at a California waterpark turned to disaster after an unsuspected medical emergency.
Richard Weinert-Soto, 11, was at Adventure Park in Visalia, central California, with his family last week Saturday (August 24) when he collapsed.
The boy’s mother, Maria Velasco spoke to local media at the moment she knew something was wrong.
“This little girl comes and she tells me, 'I think your little boy is laying up there'… and so I ran up there and he was blue and purple,” she told KSEE.
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Velasco added that the waterpark staff performed CPR on her son after he suffered the heart attack. They did this until paramedics arrived at around 5pm and took him to Kaweah Health by ambulance.
Unfortunately, the young boy died while he was in hospital, breaking the hearts of his family members.
His mother also confirmed that Velasco was born with a heart and lung condition, which made him particularly vulnerable.
His family confirmed that Richard had previously underwent six open heart surgeries after he was born due to his heart being on the wrong side of his body and flipped the wrong way. They also confirmed that he had chronic lung failure.
Richard’s relatives have now set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his upcoming funeral.
Speaking on the fundraiser page, his family said: “Richard was only 11 years old. He was the happiest, most loving, and kind boy. He enjoyed singing at his church, talking about God’s love and making his friends and family laugh.
“However, not many people saw the full picture and what Richard had to go through on a daily basis.
“Richard’s heart stopped while enjoying time at Adventure Park…he was having fun, running around…and being a normal kid. His first time of death was at 5:58pm. However his last time of death was 9:26pm.
"He fought until the end and left many beautiful memories behind. He was a friend to all and we would appreciate any help or assistance to lay our Angel Richard to rest. God Bless You All.”
The page concluded with a thank you message to all those who attempted to save the life of little Richard, this included Adventure Park, Kaweah Health, Visalia PD, Life Star, Visalia Fire Department.
UNILAD has contacted Adventure Park and Visalia Police Department for a comment.