Friday, Aug. 22, 1997 | 9:52 a.m.
A 9-year-old girl pulled from the bottom of Wet 'n Wild's wave pool remains in the thoughts and prayers of locals and out-of-towners alike who witnessed her rescue.
Bonita Garvey of St. Louis, Mo., is among those who have called the SUN in recent days, having returned home from a trip to Las Vegas that included an afternoon with her family Monday at the Las Vegas Boulevard water park.
"I pray and pray every day for that little girl," said Garvey, who has been following the young girl's story on the Internet. "My family and I stood by helplessly as we watched the EMS crew pump and pump away on that limp, little body. The father was down on his knees sobbing. It was the most emotional event I have witnessed."
Thalia Solomon remained in very critical condition today at Columbia Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, her health status unchanged since she was brought in unconscious late Monday.
Authorities have taken statements from many witnesses to the accident, which remains under investigation by Metro Police and the Clark County Health District. There also is an in-house examination by Wet 'n Wild officials.
Solomon had been swimming in the wave pool's one- to two-foot computer-generated waves when she for unknown reasons slipped beneath the surface in about four feet of water.
Two young boys have been credited with pulling her off the pool's floor moments before Wet 'n Wild lifeguards dove in to the water to begin resuscitation efforts.
Some observers have criticized the emergency services provided to the girl by Wet 'n Wild lifeguards, but water park officials have defended the rescue efforts.
Officials at Wet 'n Wild have declined to elaborate on details of the rescue or identify their lifeguards until their investigation has been completed.
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