Walnut Creek

San Ramon Valley High School Freshman Drowns in School Pool

A 15-year-old student at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville drowned in the school pool Tuesday, police confirm.

Students were placed on temporary lockdown when emergency crews responded to the scene around 2 p.m.

School officials told parents a freshman student was rushed to the hospital after he was found unresponsive. Some students say he was found in the bottom of the pool.

"I've known the kid and it's just hard knowing that like he’s there one second now he’s not I don’t know if he’s going to be here tomorrow but I hope to God he is," said student Aiden Vaupen. "I'm just praying that he is here tomorrow."

The juvenile, identified as Benjamin Curry, was transported to Kaiser hospital in Walnut Creek where he was pronounced dead.

"We don’t believe a crime took place today, but anytime there's a death involving a young child, we will turn over every rock to try to determine what happened," Danville police Chief Allan Shields said.

Grief counselors will be on the campus Wednesday to help students cope with the tragic death.

"Our focus today has been on supporting staff and students," said Elizabeth Graswich from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. "They'll be on hand as long as they're needed."

School principal Jason Krolikowski said in a statement to parents and school staff, "Words seem inadequate to express the sadness that many in our community are feeling as they receive this information."

Students placed handwritten notes, flowers and balloons in a memorial outside of the school's pool Thursday in honor of Curry.

The Danville Police Department continues the investigation.

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