Tragedy at Valdez High School Prompts Swift Response from School District

At approximately 12:26 pm Saturday, Valdez Fire and Police Dispatch received a report of a 16-year old female found unresponsive in the Valdez High School pool family locker room. An off-duty certified lifeguard called for medical assistance and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Responders provided advanced life support care and transported the young woman by ambulance to Providence Valdez Medical Center. She was medevaced to Anchorage in critical condition. Superintendent Jim Nygaard met with counselors and staff early Monday morning to make sure the school district was equipped to address the situation with students and provide support for students and parents.