Home Scandal and Gossip Dayton teen, 14, drowns at Ohio water park after falling off inflatable...

Dayton teen, 14, drowns at Ohio water park after falling off inflatable device

SHARE
Mykiara Jones Dayton OH teen drowns at Land of Illusion water park in Madison Township.
Mykiara Jones Dayton OH
Mykiara Jones Dayton OH teen drowns at Land of Illusion water park in Madison Township.

Mykiara Jones Dayton Ohio teen girl, 14, drowns at Land of Illusion waterpark at Madison Township Aqua Adventures after falling off an inflatable device. Had not been wearing life jacket. 

A 14-year-old Ohio teen girl has died from a suspected drowning after falling off from one of the inflatables at a Dayton water park, Tuesday night. 

Mykiara Jones, 14, had been visiting the Land of Illusion’s waterpark, Aqua Adventures, in Madison Township, when the accident occurred. 

Responding personnel flew her in a medical helicopter to Dayton Children’s Hospital from Land of Illusion’s waterpark, Aqua Adventures, in Madison Township, according to the coroner’s office.

The teen a freshman at Middletown High School was declared dead at hospital. 

Jones’ autopsy will be conducted Wednesday, coroner’s officials confirmed FOX19 reported. To date no cause of death had been officially determined. 

Investigation launched

‘This is a tragedy no parent should have to endure,’ said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, whose agency is heading up the local probe.

‘These are the calls first responders dread and have difficulty dealing with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,’ Sheriff Jones said.

Originally, the haunted scream park only opened in the fall, but Land of Illusion had expanded in recent years, adding a summertime Aqua Park which features large water inflatables and trampolines WLWT reported.

The girl’s death led to the water park closing Wednesday, Land of Illusion officials said in a post on the park’s Facebook page.

‘Land of Illusion is saddened to learn of the passing of a young girl at our Aqua Adventure Park yesterday (July 20). Out of respect for her and her family, and for our employees who are also dealing with this tragedy, Land of Illusion Aqua Adventure Park will be closed today,’ the post reads.

‘We are fully supporting state and local officials as they investigate the incident. We would like to thank first responders and all those who participated in the rescue effort. We ask that you join us in sending thoughts and prayers and our deepest condolences to our guest’s family and friends, as well as to the team members and guests who were on site last evening during this tragedy.’ 

Butler County dispatchers received reports of a 14-year-old girl going into the water only to never come back up.

Mykiara Jones Dayton OH
Mykiara Jones Dayton OH teen drowns at Land of Illusion water park in Madison Township.

Teen girl had been under water for 30 minutes

One of the callers stated they searched for the girl, who was not wearing a life jacket, 12 minutes before calling 911.

Butler County deputies responded to the lake at the park at 8762 Thomas Road for a report of a juvenile drowning, the sheriff said.

When deputies arrived, the sheriff said Madison Township EMS and Land of Illusion staff were trying to find the girl.

A lifeguard located Mykiara about 30 minutes after she went under the water, the sheriff said.

Upon being pulled from the water, Madison Township EMS began to administer CPR, according to the sheriff’s office.

CareFlight arrived on scene and took her to Dayton Children’s Hospital, where the teen girl was pronounced dead.

Ohio teen girl drowns Land of Illusion Aqua Adventures
Ohio teen girl drowns Land of Illusion Aqua Adventures in Madison Township.

Inflatable devices exempt from licensing requirements

Mykiara was a freshman at Middletown High School. 

‘It is with great sadness that I write this letter to you,’ Superintendent Marlon Styles wrote.

‘One of our students died yesterday after a possible drowning incident at the Land of Illusion Water Park. Mykiara Jones was a rising freshman at Middletown High School and we mourn for her family and friends. Mykiara’s mother works in our schools, so we will be wrapping our arms around her during this extremely difficult time.

‘Our district has experienced a lot of loss this past year and I want you to know we are here to help you in any way we can. Our Student Services Department is working with Access Counseling to have grief counselors available to support students, staff and parents as needed.’

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is responsible for licensing installations at amusement parks and water parks in Ohio, but an ODA spokesperson says inflatable devices on lakes such as those at Land of Illusion are exempted from licensure requirements.

Other installations at the park do have to be licensed but they were not as of Wednesday. The spokesperson explained:

‘Land of Illusions requested inspections recently to license three other devices (a Euro bungee, rock wall, and inflatable slide) that are operated on the ground. Upon inspection, the facility did not have the required documentation to complete the inspections and receive licenses, and therefore, ODA advised that these devices could not operate. ODA is currently awaiting complete documentation from the company. Once the documentation is secured, ODA will inspect these devices, and permission to operate may be granted.’

SHARE