A family from California is dealing with the tragic loss of their young son, who died during what was supposed to be a fun-filled day out.
Richard Weinert-Soto, an 11-year-old boy, collapsed while in line for a water slide at Visalia’s Adventure Park in south-central California on the evening of Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Richard’s mother, Maria Velasco, described the horrifying moment she was informed about her son’s situation. “This little girl comes and she tells me, ‘I think your little boy is laying up there’… and so I ran up there and he was blue and purple,” Velasco said.
Despite the immediate response of park employees trained in CPR, Richard remained unresponsive. He was quickly transported to Kaweah Health, but doctors were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead at 9:26 p.m.
Richard was a beacon of courage and resilience, overcoming the congenital heart condition and chronic lung failure he was born with. He had multiple open-heart surgeries in his short life due to his heart being on the wrong side of his body and reversed. His parents, Maria Velasco and Christopher Weinert, remember him for his strong spirit and deep love for others.
“He was amazing. He was special. Everyone who knew him knew that,” Christopher Weinert said, his voice heavy with both pride and grief. Richard was known for his generosity, using his own money to buy toys for other children and food for his siblings.
Maria Velasco also spoke about Richard’s love for singing in church and spreading his faith in God. Despite his health challenges, Richard’s enthusiasm for life was evident. He was known for his ability to inspire joy in those around him and for his unwavering faith.
The unexpected loss of Richard has left his family distraught, but the support they have received from their community has offered some solace. Social media platforms were quickly filled with messages of condolences and prayers, and many have offered to assist the family during this difficult time.
In response to the outpouring of support, Maria Velasco expressed her appreciation. However, the family also faces financial difficulties in covering Richard’s funeral expenses. A GoFundMe page has been established to help with these costs, and the family is requesting both donations and continued prayers.
In a statement, Visalia Adventure Park confirmed the incident. The park praised its staff for their quick and professional response to the emergency, noting that the boy had a cardiac event while waiting in line for the water slides. Their CPR-trained team responded promptly and did everything possible until medical professionals arrived.
The park also acknowledged the emotional impact of the incident on everyone involved, including their employees. They expressed their ongoing prayers for the Weinert-Soto family.
