An 8-year-old American girl died after being “violently sucked” into a hotel swimming pool pipe

The lawsuit seeks $1 million in wrongful death damages. (representative picture)

An 8-year-old girl in the United States died after being “violently sucked” into a large pipe while swimming at a hotel in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, according to a lawsuit filed by the victim’s family. Aliyah Jaico disappeared while swimming in a lazy river at the Doubletree by Hilton Houston Brookhollow Hotel with her family. fox news the report said. Her body was found hours later “inside a large pipe in the pool area,” Houston police said in a statement.

“Her poor little body was twisted as she was sucked 20 feet back into this hole and pipe,” Richard Nava, an attorney representing the family, told reporters at a news conference. Mr Nava said: “They had to break up concrete and cut pipes to get her out… it was absolutely horrific.” fox news.

The young girl was suddenly pulled into an unsafe, open gap of 12 to 16 inches in the pool’s water flow system, the lawsuit states. When she initially disappeared, her family had no idea where she had gone, sparking a frantic search. She was reported missing on Saturday around 5:45 p.m., according to police. She was found at around 11.30pm and pronounced dead by paramedics, police said, adding that they “continue to investigate the incident”.

Earlier this week, the family filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million in wrongful death damages. The 8-year-old girl “enjoyed swimming,” and her mother, Jose Daniela Jaico Ahumada, rented a room at the hotel that day to “enjoy the day with her family,” the lawsuit said. swimming time.”

“It took the fire department 13 hours to remove her body from the pipe,” said Justin Martinez, communications representative for the Nava Law Group and the Jaco family. Washington post.

Separately, Mr. Nava said, there was a “problem with the flow of water” in the pool, causing Aliyah to be caught in what the lawsuit calls an “unsafe open gap.” He added that the hole was about 12 to 16 inches wide and that the fire department had to “break up” the concrete pipe to recover the 8-year-old’s body.

“We are seeking justice for Aliyah because this could have been avoided,” Mr Nava said, adding that Aliyah’s loved ones were “devastated” by her death.

The lawsuit says the hotel is operated by Unique Crowne Hospitality LLC.

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in a statement postalA Hilton spokesperson said the company was “deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young girl.” But it added that the property is “independently owned and operated by a third party.” Hilton said it “does not own, manage or control the day-to-day operations of the hotel and does not employ any employees of the hotel or its third-party operators.”

A spokesperson for Unique Crown Hotels said the company was “deeply saddened” by Alia’s death. “We extend our sincere and deepest condolences to her family and loved ones at this difficult time,” the statement said. “Our commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for our guests is paramount and we will continue to work closely with the investigation,” it added. All authorities involved in this incident are cooperating fully.”