A 15-year-old Indiana high school student who was swimming in her school’s pool during a physical education class drowned Tuesday afternoon.
Alaina Dildine was running laps when she suffered a “medical emergency” in the pool at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, just south of Indianapolis.
Superintendent Patrick Spray said the teenager submerged near the water supply shot and also confirmed that a lifeguard was present at the time.
The pool will be closed for the remainder of the school year as friends and family mourn the teen’s loss as the community works to support its loved ones.
She was a sweet girl with a heart of gold who would help anyone and now her family needs our help. GoFundMe for Alaina’s family.
The exact cause of the drowning is still unknown at this time, but GoFundMe and Alaina’s own social media pages confirm that she had epilepsy.
Alaina Dildine was doing laps when she suffered a ‘medical emergency’ in the pool at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, Indiana
This is the pool at Whiteland Community High School where Alaina drowned Tuesday
Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation officials had originally stated that a student had suffered a “medical emergency” in the pool.
The Johnson County coroner later confirmed that the student had drowned.
“Despite the efforts of our employees and aid workers, the student died,” said the school board.
FOX 59 Indiana reporters asked school representatives how long the girl had been underwater before she was spotted or pulled from the pool.
The officials declined to comment and said the investigation is ongoing.
“The specific cause and circumstances surrounding this tragedy are not yet known and a thorough investigation will be conducted,” they said.
Speaking on Wednesday, Spray extended his condolences to Alaina’s family and to the entire community now mourning her loss.
“We grieve with this family as they endure the unimaginable. Our entire school community, and especially our school staff and students, is heartbroken,” he said.
“We grieve with this family as they endure the unimaginable. Our entire school community, and especially our school staff and students, is heartbroken,” Superintendent Patrick Spray said
On Wednesday, students set up a makeshift memorial outside the school’s swimming pool
On Wednesday, students set up a makeshift memorial outside the school’s swimming pool.
Flowers, cards, chalk messages and hugs were left to honor Alaina.
A message on the sidewalk read, “Alaina we will miss you.”
“Even though I didn’t know her very well, it’s very heartbreaking,” college student Abbigail Watson told FOX 59.
“This death has turned this school upside down,” said student Angela Stofer.
Some students said they were upset that the death occurred while a lifeguard and supervisor were on the deck of the pool.
“I don’t know the whole story, but it’s disappointing in some ways,” Watson said.
It will take up to three weeks to determine the exact cause of death as the local coroner performs a thorough autopsy.
Classes ended around 1 p.m. on Tuesday and canceled on Wednesday after the campus tragedy.
Classes will resume on Thursday, officials said.
A message on the sidewalk read: ‘Alaina we will miss you’
Flowers, cards, chalk messages and hugs were left to honor Alaina
The GoFundMe for the young girl’s family raised just over $17,000 on Wednesday
A fundraiser was started Wednesday morning by friends of the Dildine family and hopes to help her family cover unexpected funeral expenses.
Since its launch, the GoFundMe has raised over $17,000.
Donations have been pouring in from community members, as well as messages of love and support for her family.
My heart goes out to the entire Dildine family. Watching the girls grow up over the last 5 years has been amazing and Alaina will be sorely missed in our Clark Pleasant Branch,” one donated wrote.
‘Alaina meant the world to so many people! She will be truly missed and we know her light will continue to shine. Rest in peace sweet girl,” another wrote.