Authorities Investigate Possible Drowning Of 12-Year-Old Girl -...

That is just terrible. Over the last several years, the quality of lifeguarding has been AWFUL. Companies hire teens on summer visas, provide LOUSY and INADEQUATE training and sell their "guards" to the Board of Directors at these local pools - to save themselves MONEY

Maybe some tighter regulation of these companies is NECESSARY!- my guess is the company that is in control here uses these guards - BECAUSE THEY ALL DO.

that was not the case 10 years ago.

They waited for police to administer CPR, were none of the lifeguards certified to do this?

To the Aunt I'm sorry for your lost!!!!

Sara Lott (The rest of the story)
The weekend of July 19 Sara spent with us. Her mother was supporting her brother in a two day Lacrosse tournament in Timonium Md. After the games on Sunday they would stay there over night and would go to New York’s, Fordham University where her brother would spend the next 10 days participating in a Leadership Camp.
Sara did the usual things one day a friend came over and they went swimming in the neighbor’s pool, she rode her bicycle, jumped on the trampoline, hit golf balls, played basketball, went places with Grandma.
On Monday after noon she went through the play routine, talked to her mother and finally got ready to go to her friend’s birthday party at the Lake Ridge swim club. She had been looking forward to this all weekend as she loved being with her friends. Most of the girls at the party were girls that she had or were playing soccer with for several years.
Sara and Grandma left at 5:30 for the 6:00 party. It takes 15 or 20 minutes to get to the pool from home. Sara always wanted to be early. Grandma said she would probably stay until the party was over. I get a call from the party host around 7:00 asking for Sara’s mother. I told her that she was on the road home from New York. She said there was a problem with Sara and some one needed to be there. I told her that Grandma was probably there some where. She had turned the phone over to her husband who said get her in here. I asked what was wrong with Sara and he said I don’t know but it is bad and hung up.
I called Grandma on her cell phone when she answered I asked where she was and she said I am just pulling in to our drive. I learned latter that Grandma decided not to stay because none of the other girls parents stayed and she did not want to embarrass Sara. By the way Sara would not have been embarrassed because Grandma was always her support.
I said there is a problem with Sara go back to the pool and she immediately turned around and left for the pool. I then called Sara’ mom, she was just on the Capital Beltway on the way home. I tell her what I know and she frantically asks what happened and I told her what I knew. She asked for the host’s phone number which I gave her. I decided to stay put and coordinate phone calls. Sara’s mom calls back in a couple of minutes and said the medics had left the pool with Sara for the Potomac Hospital and Grandma was also in route to the hospital. She told me that I should go to the Hospital to support Grandma. Sara’s mom said she was about one hour away.
I arrived at the Hospital in about 15 minutes, parked in the lower part of the parking lot which was the fastest location and ran to the emergency entrance. I asked a Medic if Sara Lott was there yet. He immediately took me in and found a Hospital patient support person. They were working on Sara in a “medical cube”. The Emergence ward was very busy with people on beds in hall ways but Sara being critical was swept right in and was receiving all possible attention. I was taken to a waiting room where Grandma was and had been for a while. They brought us up to date and asked some questions about Sara. A Prince William Detective was also there being very supportive while trying to find out what happened. I learned when Sara was pulled from the pool that she was not breathing and her heart was not beating. The life guard(s), policemen and Medics had her heart beating and on a respirator before leaving the pool.
(Continued)

Sara (continued)
In a few minutes they asked if we would like to move closer to where they were working on Sara. I did but Grandma was not ready for that. They walked me to a hall way intersection where I could see but of course there was no room for me in the cube. I was soon told that Sara would be medivacked to Fairfax INOVA where Sara could receive more intensive care.
I called her mother and told her she was going to Fairfax as soon as they could get her ready. She was on the Express lanes and would turn around at the Lake Ridge exit. She had called Sara’s dad who lives in Springfield and he was near Woodbridge also and he also turned around for Fairfax Hospital. Sara’s mom called me about 15 minutes later and said she was at Fairfax Hospital and was asking about the status of the medivack. I was out side watching the process and told her they were waiting for clearance to the Fairfax hospital. It soon took off and 6 minutes later Sara’s mom and dad met the medivack at the Fairfax hospital.
The great support staff at the hospital offered to drive us to Fairfax if we needed it but we were okay to drive. They escorted us to Grandma’s car and notified security that my pickup would be in the lot for a while.
When Grandma and I arrived at the Fairfax hospital Sara’s mom and dad were in with her. Sara’s soccer coach, his wife and daughter (Sara’s Friend) were in the waiting room. In a short time Sara was moved to the Pediatric ICU (PICU). Sara’s mom and dad were still with her and would not leave her side through out the life saving attempt. In the PICU waiting room was the Prince William County Detective along with a Fairfax Hospital representative giving support. Friends and relatives of Sara were showing up the room was soon full. Some of her Soccer friends were there and would only leave briefly the next day to return and spend Tuesday night with us.
Sara had not gained conscious and was still on a respirator. Sara’s mom and dad kept us up to date on Dr. Reports and we would take turns visiting Sara. The Dr.’s really needed to know what happened so they could better treat her. She was a strong swimmer In great health, no known health problems, no visible head trama, no water in her lungs. No one saw what happened to her. Did she choke and fall into the water, did she have cramps, did she have a seizure? So far none of the questions are answered.
Fairfax hospital provided professionals to be with Sara’s friends through out the day and night doing things to support Sara and provide understanding about what was going on. One great friend drove all night Tuesday to bring Sara’s brother back from New York to be with Sara.
Hope came and went until finally on Wednesday afternoon after many tests and retests it was determined that she could not recover. Sara’s is an organ donor. Her mother stayed with her until that process ended on late Thursday.
Sara’s mom and brother are staying with friends while they make final arrangements and begin to heal.
We miss you Sara
Love
PaPop

sara was my best friend she was smart pretty and great at anything she did i am gonna miss her we wouldve know each other 4 3 years she played soccer team and i am gonna miss her soooo much i loved her rip sara i love u!

I did ODP traing with her. She was always smiling.
I always had fun training with her and all the other goal keepers and I got to see her try out for state.=(
I am gunna miss her and so will all the other people who became friends with her in ODP!

I hardly know what to say about this terrible tragedy. All I know is that Sara was such an incredible human being that I felt it worth while to post this comment for the second time since the first comment didn't go through.
Being Sara's PE teacher was easy. Sara came to class everyday to meet any challenge that came her way. She LOVED sports and was a "no frills" kind of girl. I remember Sara trying her hardest to pass the push-up fitness test. She worked very hard and eventually passed the challenge. Sara was that kind of girl. She was a leader in her own way. She didn't need to be loud and obnoxious to have people take notice. Sara led by example. She was kind, caring and worked to meet her personal goals. Sara was simple. She didn't need to be involved in any clicks, wear the latest fashion, or gossip to be popular. Sara was just comfortable in her own skin-
Sara was pure to the core. As her teacher, I always thought it would be a dream to teach 50 kids just like Sara...
There wasn't a mean bone in her body. I laughed when I read the quote in the paper about her being an "old soul"....that was a perfect description of Sara.
Sara was a good old fashioned great kid. This crazy world could use some more Sara Lotts in it. But for now, we have to work hard to do good on this earth so we can meet Sara at the finish line. God must have been so impressed w/ the work she did here in such a short time.
Please know that Sara's short life will not go in vein. It will be a reminder to me that every day is a gift. I will be a better mother and teacher because of knowing Sara. She was a diamond in the rough.
For now we'll say "see you again when our race is over". How proud I am to say I knew and taught Sara Lott.
I will pray for the healing of everyone involved....
Take comfort in knowing that Sara is in the palm of Gods hand.
God Bless Sara's friends and family!
Mrs.Swanson

Sara was one of my best friends...sara had lots of best friends she was such a lovable person.she could always put a smile on my face. sara was a true friend. I roomed with sara at soccer camp it was the most fun,ecspecially when I slipped on the bannana peel, sara couldnt stop laughing. or when she sang in the shower (not very well) but hey at least she tried. theres so much about sara there wouldnt be enough paper in the world to write about her. yet most people knew her as smart pretty genuine independent.... but i knew her as her goofy self! she didnt say much in groups but when we were alone... she was a chater box. i love her! of course it is devestating. this may sound weird but me and slara (thats one of her nick names.)she told me when she died she didnt want people to be sad but to celebrate and charish her life....... she will always live in our hearts. no one will ever forget her. whether it was her smile or her laugh or when she corrected me on how to say a word or even our spelling bee's. yep thats right spelling bee's call us nerds but hey it was fun to us... she was an amazing goal keeper! everyone felt comfortable when she was back there. we will always remember her as her fun spirited loving silly sara

Sara was an old soul -- who I respected immensely. I know that she is with the Lord -- but ohhh how we miss her. An incredible athlete but more important -- an incredible friend and team mate. OMG -- where to we go from here?

I just have to echo what Mrs. Swanson said! Sara was a tremendous child, and one who probably touched more lives in her 12 years on earth than many people do in 70! I don't think anyone who knew Sara will ever forget her. She had a kind and compassionate heart, a great sense of humor, and she was a quiet leader. She knew when to speak up and she knew when to keep to herself. I never heard a mean word come out of her mouth. She was a fierce competitor who played just as well with the boys as she did with the girls! She pushed herself to achieve everything she knew was possible. I also am so proud and blessed to have known and taught Sara. We will all miss her dearly, but know that she is in a better place. I pray for the continued healing for her family, friends, and everyone who is so saddened by this tragic loss.
Miss Stuever

i'll remeber sara forever..she was my friend.. i would jump on her at p.e...it was pretty funny. i miss u sara!!

Slara was an awesome girl. Like our coach Ed said she didnt say much, but when she spoke up everyone stopped and listened to her valuable words. She always had a smile on and gave us girls advice. I remember at Navy seeing Sara bent over laughing from the banana slip. She was a leader. She helped our team pull together and make up our dance to banana phone. She always kept everyone calm and she was sorta the mother of the family if you put it that way. The first time I saw her in that net I thought to myself,"wow!" she was so dedicated to the team. Slara will forver be in our hearts. We miss you slara!!(my last comment was from my mom)

i was on saras team. we roomed together at a sccr camp in maryland. we had a great time there. my coach was right when he said she nevr did anything stupid 2 get attention. she was the goalie of team so whenever she saw something on the feild she would talk about it at half time and EVERYONE would listen 2 her. we did that because we respected her and we trusted what she had 2 say. sara will always be in our hearts forever. it will be hard 2 adjust 2 the change when i go 2 practices and im sure i wont get used 2 it very easily. i miss u sara and i always will. <3 rest in peace.

I LUV U SARA!!!! <3

Slara was a great friend. I dont think i'll meet anyone as nice and funny as her. I will miss her dearly and I will never forget her. She was a great keeper and no one can ever replace her. God bless her family and her dear friends.-kate <3

Aunt wrote:

They waited for police to administer CPR, were none of the lifeguards certified to do this?

The lifeguards did give CPR. Police took over when they arrived on the scene.

The lifeguards did do CPR. The police took over when they arrived on the scene!!!!

Unk wrote:

<quoted text>
The lifeguards did give CPR. Police took over when they arrived on the scene.

Please, That post is from the past, leave it alone.

Have a little respect for Sara and her family. Give someone you love a hug and thank god for everyday you have with your family. This should remind us all that life is to live, like Sara did. Take the time to read the comments and see who Sara was, how she lived her life and the way she touched others lives.

Did you know that she loved animals? Her dogs and cats miss her. Oooops almost forgot her fish in the pond. She could water ski, snow ski, golf, sing rap with her MC Master Lynz and much more. She has a big brother. Do you have a brother or sister? Think, if this was one of them?

Most of all, she never spoke negative about anyone. She always had something nice to say.

So join in, if you knew her or not... help celebrate Sara's life.

We miss you Sara angel.

I am so sorry for the loss of Sara. My daughter knew her well and was in most of her classes at Saunders. My daughter can't sleep at all and cries every single day. I can't imagine how the family must feel, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Though I never got the opportunity to know Sara personally, my heart goes out to the entire family, all the children who knew her and are now suffering and most of all for Sara whose life was cut too short.