Child Succumbs From Independence Day Drowning

By Martin Henderson

The 3-year-old boy pulled from the water at the Beach Club at Lago Santa Margarita about 80 minutes before an Independence Day fireworks show was to begin, has succumbed. 

The boy, who sparked an impressive resuscitative effort by off-duty emergency personnel who happened to be at the event, was believed to have been without air for 10 minutes or more. Although he had no vital signs at the Beach Club, a heartbeat and pulse were obtained at Mission Hospital. 

The Orange County Coroner confirmed early Saturday that Xavier Ergueta of Rancho Santa Margarita was pronounced dead Friday at 7:30 p.m. His mother, Jennifer Ergueta, is listed as the boy's next of kin.

Someone identifying himself as a person who knows the family posted a comment onto the original article that the youngster was declared brain dead on Friday afternoon and was to be taken off of life support Friday night. 

Coroner Dan Aiken would not confirm that information, nor whether the boy's organs were harvested for transplant. He also indicated that it has not yet been determined if an autopsy would be conducted.  

The event and club is overseen by the Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, better known as SAMLARC. 

Candice Fullenkamp, executive director at SAMLARC, said Friday morning there was an ongoing investigation into the incident but refused to identify the investigating party. She also refused to accept additional questions and deferred all inquiries to a forthcoming press release. 

SAMLARC issued its press release eight minutes before the office closed for the weekend, then Fullenkamp did not respond to a request to answer additional questions not covered by the press release.

The contents of the release: 

All established safety procedures and policies were followed. Following the incident, the water activities in the Lagoon were suspended and the Lagoon was closed and remained closed pending the scheduled fireworks display. However, pool monitoring staff remained on site until 9 p.m. Upon being advised of the incident, SAMLARC's Board President issued a brief statement to those in attendance at the Lagoon, expressing, "Our hearts and prayers go out to the child and family." He also requested a moment of silence and prayer for the child and family. Although difficult due to the incident, the remaining scheduled activities occurred as planned.

Those who use the Beach Club have posted comments to the original story, and on Facebook, that there are no lifeguards on duty at the facility, only "pool monitors." 

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, a 9-1-1 call was made Thursday at 7:47 p.m., by an administrator after being notified by a "lifeguard."

Nevertheless, the frustration of emergency workers who responded to a public address announcement seeking someone who knew CPR, was skewed toward the lack of life-saving equipment on the site, including an Ambu bag, airway and portable defibrillator. 

There were about 700 people inside the Beach Club facility at the time of the incident, and thousands who lined the city's signature manmade lake in anticipation of the 9 p.m. fireworks show.