Man drowns in community pool, child survives, Alachua County deputies say

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies have identified the man who drowned at a community pool on Saturday.

Officials say Gildan Cornelious, 20, of Chicago, was in the deep end of a pool at Hidden Oaks Mobile Home Park with an 11-year-old around 6:25 p.m.

Investigators say neither Cornelious nor the child could swim. When Cornelious went underwater, the child was able to get to safety.

“It’s sad to hear that a kid had to observe these kind of events you know no one wants their kids to see that or go through that. That’s kinda sad,” said neighbor Nicholas Jackson.

Responding deputies pulled him from the water and attempted life-saving measures. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

Deputies believe the drowning was accidental. The District Eight Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death.

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