A young boy died after suffering a medical emergency during what was supposed to be a fun day at a California water park with his youth group this weekend.
Titus Mark Wininger, 11, of Escondido, died June 22 at Wild Rivers water park in Irvine with his friends.
Fire and police were called to the park on Saturday after responding to a ‘non-water, but medical related incident’.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday that Wininger’s death was linked to a rare congenital heart defect.
Sergeant Matt Parrish, sheriff’s spokesman, said the Orange County Register that the young boy appears to have died of “abnormal insertion of coronary arteries.”
Titus Mark Wininger, 11, of Escondido, died June 22 while with a youth group at Wild Rivers water park in Irvine
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this condition occurs when an artery is not formed properly before delivery.
The symptoms vary depending on the type of abnormality. Sudden cardiac arrest or death during exertion may be the first signs.
If the artery is in the wrong place, it can disrupt the way blood flows through the heart, leading to chest pain and shortness of breath.
According to the clinic, it affects one percent of the population worldwide, who often experience no consequences.
a GoFundMe has since been established after his death to help his family.
A post at the fundraiser read: “11-year-old Titus Wininger passed away suddenly on June 22nd.
Titus was at a water park with his youth group when he passed out. The medical staff helped him immediately.
“While the family is still waiting for more information or to understand why, we would like to reach out to them with the love, support and any monetary donation they may need in this time of grief.”
Fire and police were called to the park on Saturday, seen here, after responding to a ‘non-water, but medical related incident’
In a statement, the park said: “We are deeply saddened to share that an incident occurred today at Wild Rivers.
‘A 12-year-old boy experienced a non-water, but medical-related incident outside one of our swimming pools.
‘Despite the quick response from our team and the emergency services, he unfortunately died later in hospital.
“Our thoughts go out to the boy’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”