Girl dies in training accident

An 11-year-old girl was killed Tuesday after a lifeguard boat ran over her during a routine Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguards training exercise.

Authorities originally said Allyssa Squirrell of Laguna Hills was slashed by the boat’s propeller, but later backed away from the statement, saying further investigation was necessary. The girl was one of 20 to 25 11- and 12-year-olds practicing an exercise called a “speed drop,” in which the junior guards jump off a moving boat into the water to practice reaching swimmers in distress quickly.

However, Allyssa and another Junior Guard were still in the water and hadn’t yet reached the rest of the group in the water when the boat circled around and struck her, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The girl was rushed to UCI Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m. As far as officials can tell, the incident was an accident.

“We’re not sure what caused the accident. It simply appears he [the boat’s driver] did not see the two girls in the water,” Amormino said.

The driver of the boat, 53-year-old Lt. Greg Crow of the Huntington Beach Marine Safety Division, is a 32-year veteran of the division and has worked with the Junior Lifeguard program for more than 20 years, Amormino said. He is licensed by the United States Coast Guard and holds a Public Safety Medal of Valor. Crow is “extremely traumatized,” Amormino said.

Alcohol was not a factor in the incident. The water was choppy, which probably decreased visibility, Amormino said.

The incident occurred just before 3 p.m., at which time local lifeguards rushed to the scene. Allyssa suffered deep lacerations to her left leg and hip area, Amormino said.

This was the first fatal incident in the Huntington Beach program since its inception in 1964, a release from the city noted. About 30,000 kids have participated in the program, designed for kids ages 9 to 17.

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of one of our junior lifeguards,” said Mayor Keith Bohr in a release. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of Allyssa in this time of tragedy.”

One lifeguard was on the boat, and another lifeguard was in the water when the incident occurred.

Wednesday classes were canceled, but were expected to continue today. The program isn’t expected to undergo reevaluation at the moment, said Laurie Payne, a spokesperson for the city.

An autopsy took place Wednesday morning to determine the exact cause of death, Amormino said. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reviewing the incident.

“It is still an ongoing, active investigation,” Amormino said. “It appears that the incident is just a tragic accident.”

A memorial has been set up at the viewpoint area of the lifeguard headquarters at Pacific Coast Highway and First Street, where family and friends have been leaving flowers in Allyssa’s memory.