Yuma toddler dies after drowning in backyard pool
A 2-year-old boy who fell into in his backyard pool in Yuma on Saturday died at a Phoenix Hospital on Monday afternoon.
Yuma police responded to a drowning report in the Pecan Grove subdivision at 11:59 a.m. Saturday; CPR was already being performed by a relative, spokesperson Sergeant Lori Franklin said.
The toddler was taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center and later flown to a Phoenix Hospital, where he died at 3:31 p.m. on Monday, police said.
Summer drownings
In Pinal and Maricopa counties alone, five children under the age of 6 have drowned between Jan. 1 and June 12, according to the Children's Safety Zone, which collects data from local fire departments.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reports that children aged 1 to 4 are at the highest risk for drowning.
To keep children safe, the department recommends taking extra precautions like erecting barriers around pools, being especially vigilant around young children and taking advantage of community swimming lessons, which the department has a list of on its website.
More: How to keep your child from becoming a drowning statistic
Reach the reporter at GRGomez@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Toddler dies at a Phoenix hospital after drowning in Yuma pool
