‘He was special’: 11-year-old boy collapses at Visalia Adventure Park

VISALIA, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A Visalia family is grieving after they say their son tragically passed after a trip to Adventure Park Saturday evening.

11-year-old Richard Weinert-Soto collapsed at the top of a water slide at around 5 p.m., according to his mother Maria Velasco.

“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.

She says Adventure Park employees performed CPR until medics arrived, taking him to Kaweah Health.

Visalia Adventure Park would like to acknowledge the medical emergency that took place at Sequoia Springs on Saturday afternoon. A child suffered from a cardiac emergency while waiting in line for the waterslides. Our staff, who is CPR certified, was quick to respond and did all they could until medical professionals arrived. We are asking for your prayers for the family and for all involved in this occurrence. Please know that the park was and continues to be a safe environment for the whole family and that this emergency was not related to the facilities at the park. Furthermore, we are grateful to the first responders and the citizens of our community for their continued prayers and support of the family, the staff involved, and the park. Our God is merciful and abounding in love. Thank you.

Visalia Adventure Park

Doctors attempted life-saving measures for several hours until pronouncing Richard dead at 9:26 p.m.

“He was amazing. He was special. Everyone who knew him knew that,” Richard’s father Christopher Weinert said.

Richard’s parents reflected on his generous heart, telling stories of times he bought toys for other children at Weinert’s workplace or spent his social security money to buy food for his siblings.

Velasco says he loved to sing at church and tell people about God.

“If you saw the way he sang, it’s like he sang with his heart,” Velasco said.

They say he was known for his infectious joy, his love for Jesus and his endless strength.

What many could not see on the surface, however, were his medical battles. He was born with a heart condition and chronic lung failure.

“He was very strong and he was a fighter because, you know, even though he was like intubated and had all kinds of tubes on him, he would still be like, ‘I’m okay mommy,’” Velasco said.

Richard’s death drew immediate social media attention, with hundreds promising to pray for the family.

“I feel so blessed. I really do,” Velasco said.

She says she’s overwhelmed by the community’s support, but is asking for financial help as well to pay for Richard’s funeral.

They ask anyone willing to help to donate through their GoFundMe page .

Richard’s family hopes every time someone prays for them or gives to the GoFundMe, they will pause to reflect on who Richard was so they can carry on his legacy.

“I trust in the Lord. I trust in God. He’s gonna be my refuge and that’s what I hold onto because I know that’s what Richard would have wanted and that’s what he would have done too,” Velasco said.

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