MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU-TV) — A hot weekend turned tragic for one family in Monroe County. State police say a 4-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool in Middle Smithfield Township Sunday afternoon.
Neighbors told Eyewitness News that as they passed the home on their walk, it looked like a calm family gathering.
“Everything looked normal, the family was outside there was a balloon up for a birthday party it looked like,” said Nora Bongiorni, neighbor.
Police say the incident occurred just after 4 p.m. Sunday in an above ground pool on the 1200 block of Sierra Trails Drive.
Bushkill EMS were assisted by the Pennsylvania State Police Stroudsburg.
The child was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital Pocono campus were he was pronounced dead. Neighbors say this could happen to anyone.
“This happens in a couple seconds, if you’re distracted this happens,” said Angel Lopez, neighbor.
PSP Stroudsburg Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the incident. There are no further details on what lead up to the accident, or if the child was wearing a life jacket at the time of the drowning.
The investigation is pending a scheduled autopsy.
