We are very sorry to report that a West Philly boy died on Saturday, two days after he was pulled from a swimming pool at Cobbs Creek Recreation Center (210 S. 63rd St.).
A lifeguard found 7-year-old Jabriel O’Connor underwater and unresponsive at about 1 p.m. Thursday. The lifeguard administered CPR and the boy was rushed to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was placed on life support. Four lifeguards were watching the pool.
Jabriel was at the public pool with a camp group of about 25 children and four counselors. Jabriel lived near the corner of Walnut and Melville Streets in the Spruce Hill section in an emergency shelter for homeless families, according to neighbors.
Mayor Michael Nutter issued a statement yesterday concerning the boy’s death:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jabriel’s parents, family, friends, and all of the young people present at the Cobb’s Creek Recreation Center on Thursday as they grieve. The City will continue to provide support services to Jabriel’s family, the camp staff, City employees and community members affected by this tragedy. It is my hope that they can find strength and comfort from the support of their loved ones and the entire Philadelphia community at this difficult time.”
A neighbor wrote in an e-mail that Jabriel lived nearby.
“This child is our neighbor at Melville and Walnut. So, so sad. Other kids from his house witnessed his drowning, just awful. Don’t know if anything can be done on a community level to help his mom/family, but thought I would e-mail you just in case.”
We have contacted the agency that sponsored the camp for information about how community members could help Jabriel’s family. We’ll post any information we receive back.
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