8 year old girl dies after getting stuck in pool pipe of Houston hotel

Swimming pools can be a place of fun, but safety precautions are very important. This week, an 8-year-old girl died after getting trapped in a pipe in a hotel swimming pool in Houston, US.

Aliyah Jaco died after becoming entangled in a swimming pool pipe at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Houston, Texas.

Aliyah’s family reported her missing after she disappeared while swimming in a lazy river-style pool.

His body was found about 13 hours later.

A search team was called in, including Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch. After draining the pool, they find Aliyah’s body in the pipe using a camera.

“We put poles in there about 20 feet, and we saw his little hand and part of his body, so we called the fire department back there. “It appears the pump was malfunctioning because the open pipe that held it was spewing water out,” Miller said, according to a New York Post report.

“And right next to that pipe, there was another pipe that had a big plastic filter-like screen on the front that was drawing water. So I know there was speculation last night from someone who knew quite a bit and All it took was the pump’s coil was wrong. So it was sucking instead of pushing,” he said.

“He was packed in there very, very tightly,” Miller said. “I don’t think she decided, ‘I’m going to swim over here and see what’s out here.’

“Many of us had to wipe tears from our eyes,” he said of the search team. “This is one of the most tragic events we have seen in some time.”

It took about 13 hours to find the girl and recover her body.

The autopsy revealed that Aliyah had drowned and was suffering from ‘mechanical asphyxiation’ (when an object or physical force stops you from breathing).

Investigators believe a malfunction may be to blame.

Legal actions and violations

Aliyah’s family filed a death lawsuit against the hotel and its parent companies, alleging negligence, and seeking damages in excess of $1 million.

The post reported that Aliyah’s parents believed the tragedy was ‘avoidable’.

Following the incident, inspectors discovered multiple violations at the pool.

According to the outlet, an investigator wrote in a three-page inspection report, “The operator failed to obtain a pre-opening inspection prior to opening the pool following the remodel.”

These included a lack of pre-opening inspection after reconstruction and non-compliance with federal safety laws designed to prevent sinking.

The pool operator reportedly failed to provide documentation proving compliance with safety regulations.

Further investigation revealed that the approved plans for the pool reconstruction did not match the actual construction, particularly with regard to lazy river flow suction and return piping.

Additionally, protective covers were missing from the pipe openings, potentially contributing to the incident.

Hilton hotel says property is ‘independently owned’

DoubleTree by Hilton, parent company of Hilton, expressed condolences to the family, but clarified that the property is independently owned and operated by local hotel operator Unique Crown Hospitality.

The post notes that Unique Crown Hospitality has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

A Hilton spokesperson told ABC 7 in a statement, “Hilton Houston offers our sincere condolences to the Hilton family and loved ones for the tragic loss of a young girl at the Doubletree by Brookhollow,” the Post reported.

“This property is independently owned and operated by a third party. “Hilton does not own, manage or control the daily operations of the property and does not employ any employees of the property or its third-party operators,” the spokesperson said.

Aliyah’s mother Daniela is heartbroken. In a social media post, he wrote, “Thank you, my love, for the eight years you gave me. Thank you, my girl, for teaching me what love is and a kind heart.”