A family gathering turned tragic Saturday evening when a 10-year-old Framingham girl pulled out of a pool at a relative’s residence died, according to officials.
Framingham police received a report at 7:10 p.m., said Framingham Police Lieutenant Stephen Cronin. The girl, who lives in Framingham, was visiting the home of an extended family member with an in-ground pool on Edgell Drive.
“We’re told it was a witnessed event, that there were family members present when the child was in the water and began to experience distress,” said Cronin. “The family members removed the child from the water prior to the police’s arrival.”
The police were the first to arrive, he said. After clearing the airway and administering CPR, officers attempted to use an automatic external defibrillator to revive the girl.
The automatic external defibrillator will not release a shock unless it detects some heart rhythm, and this cannot be overridden by the operator, said Cronin. In this case, the device did not detect the required heart rhythm and no shock was delivered.
Officials continued to administer CPR before the fire and ambulatory services arrived. The child was transported to Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham, where doctors pronounced her dead later that night.
In accordance with protocol, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office is investigating with assistance from State Police detectives, said Cronin, though the Framingham Police Department’s investigation has indicated no evidence of foul play.
“This incident in Framingham is an active and open investigation, but it appears to be an accidental drowning,” said Jacquelyn Goddard, spokeswoman for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. “Because the death is not considered suspicious, the name of the 10-year old girl is being withheld.”
Nicole Fleming can be reached at nicole.fleming@globe.com.