PHOENIX — An elderly man is dead after he was pulled from a backyard pool in Ahwatukee, the city's fire department said.
Phoenix firefighters were dispatched to the area of 48th Street and Elliot Road for reports of a drowning. When crews arrived, they found an elderly man who was pulled out of a backyard pool by his family, unconscious and not breathing.
The man was taken to the hospital but was later pronounced dead, officials said. It was unknown how long he was in the water.
During the death investigation, it was learned that the man may have had a medical event leading to him falling into the pool. Police said officers didn't find anything suspicious related to the investigation.
Authorities didn't release the identity of the man who died.
>> This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.
Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
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