Investigations move forward on lifeguard drowning at aquatic center
DEMING – Deming police are treating the drowning of a City of Deming Lifeguard on Friday as an accident. The Luna County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the victim was an 18-year-old female working at the Sam Baca Aquatic Center located at 815 S. Buckeye Street in Deming, NM.
Deming police are continuing to investigate the drowning that occurred between 11 a.m. and the noon hour on Friday, July 15, 2022. Police said they are also waiting for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to file its report and for the examination from the Office of the Medical Investigator.
City of Deming officials provided mental health assistance on Tuesday for first responders, employees at the aquatic center and the public through the New Mexico Municipal League to help the community members cope with the tragic events that unfolded on Friday at the aquatic center. Those events are the center of the police investigation. The counseling took place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Andres Z. Silva Conference Center, 119 E. Pine Street in Deming, NM.
The City Council and officials within city government met in closed session on Tuesday to discuss personnel matters regarding the Sam Baca Aquatic Center, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(2) of the Open Meetings Act.
The initial report that was sent out by the city to the media outlets on Friday did not identify the victim, and as of Monday, July 18, 2022, have not released a name. A city official cited the age of the victim and out of respect for the family.
The preliminary report from the City of Deming indicated that law enforcement personnel from the Deming Police Department, Deming Fire Department and Luna County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene within three minutes of the call coming in.
EMTs transported the victim to Mimbres Memorial Hospital, adjacent to the aquatic center, where the victim was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving.
Details on Friday’s tragedy are being closely guarded by the City of Deming and Deming police. “As this is an active investigation additional details cannot be released at this time,” DPD Chief Clint Hogan said on Friday.
The center, located at 815 W. Buckeye (corner of Buckeye and South Eighth streets), officially opened for the summer recreational season on May 24, after being closed for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The facility is city-owned and operated and features a recreational pool, therapy pool, and a lap pool, with diving board. A 150-foot water slide empties into the recreational pool. There are also cascading water umbrellas and geysers in the recreational pool.
In March, the City of Deming posted job openings for lifeguards on its Facebook page and needed a minimum of 15 certified lifeguards to be staffed but was hoping to hire at least 20.
General swim sessions were from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday. The center closes on Mondays for routine maintenance.
Bill Armendariz can be reached at 575-494-5059 or biarmendariz@demingheadlight.com.
This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: Investigations move forward on lifeguard drowning at aquatic center
