ME Middle School Student ID’d As Tuesday Poland Range Pond State Park Drowning Victim

LEWISTON, ME. (THECOUNT) — Rayan A. Issa, of Lewiston, ME., has been named as the victim who drown at Range Pond State Park in Poland, ME., Tuesday.

The 13-year-old middle school student died playing water football with other students and staff. Reports say the boy went under the murky water and never resurfaced while visiting the popular Poland park.

Officials say 13-year-old Rayan A. Issa, of Lewiston, was playing football in the water within the safety ropes with his classmates, when he went under and never came back up. The superintendent of schools says his classmates ran to notify chaperones and the on-duty lifeguard, who tried to find him in the murky water, but were unsuccessful.
source

Emergency crews responded to the scene. Issa was located by firefighters and taken to shore where he was given CPR.

Issa was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The superintendent commented of the tragic student death:

“It’s clearly tragic, something that’s a parent’s worst nightmare,” Superintendent Bill Webster said. “They rightfully and fully expect their children are going to be safe in school and on a student field trip. We had a staff member for every 10 students, there was a lifeguard on duty, even that was insufficient in the situation. We will look at the investigation report and reflect on our own procedures.”

Police are asking for anyone with information on the fatal incident to contact 911.