A teenager died earlier this month after a diving accident at the pool at CERA Sports Park & Campgrounds, authorities have confirmed.
Jaxson D. Grubbs, 14, of New Castle, was injured in a diving accident at the park at 3989 S. County Road 525E, Columbus, on the afternoon of June 6 while visiting with friends.
Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane said in a statement that at about 1:36 p.m. that day, “deputies responded to the pool at Ceraland Park for a report of an unconsciousness person. Security camera footage showed a juvenile male diving into the pool and suffering some sort of medical episode. The juvenile was removed from the pool and later flown to Riley Children’s Hospital by Lifeline.”
The Marion County Coroner’s Officer determined that Grubbs died at Riley due to complications from drowning as a result of an accident.
“This is a terrible tragedy, the thoughts and prayers of the Sheriff’s Office are with the victim and his family,” Lane said.
Emergency responders from Elizabethtown and Columbus Regional Health also responded to the incident.
An attorney for Ceraland, Deanna M. Tucker of Louisville-based Barnes Maloney PLLC, said CERA could not comment on the incident. In a statement, she said, “CERA Sports Park & Campground offers its condolences to the Grubbs family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
According to his obituary, Jaxson had just completed eighth grade at New Castle Middle School and was a gifted baseball player. “With a carefree spirit, he was fun, kind-hearted, witty, often a prankster and loved by so many. He was happiest being around his friends and family,” the obituary says.
The family requested memorial contributions memorial be given to the New Castle Little League or Hagerstown Tigers Youth Baseball.
