Orange County Fire Authority firefighter/paramedics respond to reports of an 85-year-old woman who drowned in her backyard pool in Placentia early Sunday. (Photo by Southern Counties News Service)
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE | [email protected] | Orange County Register
Orange County firefighter paramedics responded to one drowning and six near-drownings in less than 24 hours between early Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27, officials said.
The near drownings involved four girls, ages 1 to 3; and two boys, ages 2 and 3.
In the drowning, an 85-year-old Placentia woman was pronounced dead by Orange County Fire Authority paramedics after a neighbor reported seeing her floating in her backyard pool Sunday at 12:10 a.m., said OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi.
“It appears she either fell into the pool or had a heart attack or stroke,” Placentia Sgt. Bryce Angel said. “Her dog had been barking most of the day, which alerted the neighbors.”
The woman lived alone. Her identity was not released because her family has not been notified, Angel added.
The near drownings involved four girls, ages 1 to 3; and two boys, ages 2 and 3.
“(Seven) drowning incidents in less than 24 hours is one of the most active days for drownings that we have had,” Concialdi said.
In 2016, there were a total of 110 incidents. There were 41 drownings and 69 near drownings, Concialdi said. Fifty-one incidents occurred in swimming pools, 34 in the ocean or bay,12 in spas and 12 in bathtubs, according to OCFA data.
On Saturday, the first call came at 12:50 p.m., after a three-year-old girl fell into a spa at a residence on Alisal Court in Aliso Viejo.