At 1:32 PM today, Lodi Police dispatchers received a 911 call regarding a drowning in the Tokay H.S. pool. Emergency medical services and police were dispatched to the scene. They found an unconscious student who had been removed from the water. He was rushed to Lodi Memorial Hospital for treatment, and was later transferred via helicopter to a pediatric trauma center.

The police investigation into the circumstances revealed no evidence of foul play. The student, Chhayarong Kong, is a 16 year old Stockton resident and was at the pool as part of a physical education class. He was known to be a competent swimmer, and was seen swimming underwater laps just before the accident. Shortly thereafter, another student was swimming and spotted Kong at the bottom of the pool. He pulled Kong to the surface and called for help, whereupon other students and teachers jumped into the water to assist. Kong was pulled out of the water and CPR was begun by a teacher. At this hour, he is in critical condition at Oakland Children’s Hospital.

Although there has been speculation that the student may have tried to swim beneath a moveable bulkhead that divides the pool. No witnesses to this were found by police, and there was no immediate evidence of injury to him.

Kong’s mother and father were out of state, but have been notified of the incident by other family members who responded to the hospital.

Contact Sgt. William Barry, or the Watch Commander, at 209-333-6730.