7-year-old's drowning a mystery
2 bystanders unable to revive girl who was not breathing
By Dave Munday
SUMMERVILLE — Witnesses say it's a mystery how a 7-year-old girl drowned in a swimming pool in less than 4 feet of water Saturday with 50 people around her.
Alexis Williams died of asphyxia from drowning, with no other apparent injuries, Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbett said Monday.
The accident happened about 1:30 p.m. in the community pool at The Bridges of Summerville, a neighborhood between Ladson and Trolley roads.
Alexis came to the pool with her father, Michael Bowman of North Charleston, at the invitation of a resident, according to the police report. Several witnesses said Bowman was sitting with a younger child in the baby pool and that Alexis was sitting on the side of the pool where the water was about 4 feet deep. Nobody heard any commotion.
Jason Carney, a nurse who lives in the neighborhood, was sitting by the pool watching his 6-year-old son play with other children. Suddenly, he noticed a man jump out of the baby pool and start running toward the other end of the pool. Somebody cried out, "Call 911." Carney ran over and saw Alexis lying by the side of the pool, apparently lifeless. Carney started performing CPR.
"I never could get her breathing," he said. "If I'd just had an NG tube or an intubation kit, maybe I could have saved her."
Carney paused to recover his voice.
"I'm worried about my kids," he said. "I'm going to have to take them to counseling."
Randy Bridegam, another resident, was at the pool with her grandchildren. All of a sudden somebody was pulling Alexis out of the water, she said. Her son, Lance Auken of Virginia Beach, a former Navy EMT, ran over to help Carney with the CPR. Witnesses said they kept at it for about 10 minutes until the ambulance arrived.
"It was a very unsettling situation," Bridegam said. "We've all been trying to figure out what happened."
The next morning at church, her 11-year-old grandson went up front and lit a candle for Alexis, she said.
Summerville police are investigating the incident, with no charges being considered, Capt. Jon Rogers said.
Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.
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pirate42 (anonymous) says...
wow that many people around a pool and no one saw anything. thats UNBELIVEABLE even to me...
May 5, 2009 at 5:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
It's scary when I think about it. As much as I tried, I just couldn't keep an eye on them all of the time. My wife and I had a near miss or two...near panic then a whirlwind of activity then the relief. It's a blessing to get them to adulthood.
May 5, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
theronce, I'm with you. Sometimes I wonder how my girls made it at all.
Accidents do happen and can happen quickly. My youngest was a rambunctious kid who behaved more like a tomboy than a prissy little girl. She always had scrapes and bruises from playing so hard.
I have to withhold judgement until the investigation is completed.
A 7 year old in 4 feet of water surrounded by people wouldn't have been considered overly risky.
Sometimes there isn't an answer nor blame to place.
All we can do is keep the family and those who witnessed this tragic event in our thoughts.
May 5, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KEEPITREAL2008 (anonymous) says...
Eyfigueroa your right..."sometimes there isn't an answer nor blame to place". My prayers are with the family!
May 5, 2009 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MRSCVS (anonymous) says...
Wow so heart breaking for the families and friends of this beautiful lil child.
I am sure it was just as bad for the witnesses to see something like this...
My prayers to all in this horrible tragedy.
GOD bless
May 5, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
wow so scary. I need to hear why. This is so alarming.
Very sorry for the parents.
May 5, 2009 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olloh (anonymous) says...
I live in this neighborhood. Its sad to think how this could happen so fast.
It is a shame it took the ambulance that long to get there. Summerville Medical center is only a couple hundred yards from the pool.
May 7, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katieschenck (anonymous) says...
tragic for this family. i heard there is a fund through Bank of America to help them with funeral costs, does anybody know how to contribute?
May 8, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
loriwhittle (anonymous) says...
There is a bank of America account set up for anyone who can contribute to helping the family pay for the funeral costs. They need to raise about $2,000.00 more by tomorrow.
BofA Acct #223009254854
You can also Contact the brach if you have any questions (843) 414-5740 and speak with Garrett.
Our prayers are with you Alexis
Thank you,
May 8, 2009 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
katieschenck (anonymous) says...
Keller Williams Real Estate has raised over $2700 and will deposit it in the bank tonight! Thanks for the info!!
May 8, 2009 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mommy0607 (anonymous) says...
The family would like to thank everyone who has extended a hand it has been greatly appreciated...We are having a hard time getting through this .... Lexy was our baby and our world...She was the only baby in the family for a long time... But with gods grace if we continue to stick together we know it will get a little easier...Again Thanks to Everyone
May 11, 2009 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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