NH state rep's daughter, 3, drowns in family pool

WINDHAM, N.H. (WHDH) -- A New Hampshire state representative’s three-year-old daughter died Monday after she drowned in the family’s pool Sunday.

Sunday afternoon, 911 was called from New Hampshire State Representative Rick Okerman’s home. His three-year-old daughter was found unresponsive in their above-ground pool.

When fire crews responded to the scene, the girl didn’t have a pulse. Crews performed CPR at the scene, but the girl died Monday.

The Windham fire chief said, “this was a situation where they had a deck over the pool, they did have a gate, it just happened to be unlocked.”

The fire chief said the circumstances surrounding the tragedy are unclear.

“The child went out of sight from people and they believe the child was in there for about five minutes.

The chief says rescue efforts were started by family members. Paramedics took over minutes later. The girl was then rushed to the hospital but died Monday morning.

“Just speechless. I’m just putting myself in their position I can’t even imagine,” said Nina Gilbert, a parent.

New Hampshire House Speaker William O’Brien released a statement regarding the tragedy:

“Words cannot describe the unspeakable tragedy of losing one’s child and how it forever changes the parents who have been affected. The House of Representatives will keep Rick and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this heartbreaking time for them.”

The fire chief told 7News that when the child was transported from the home to the hospital she was showing signs of improvement.

Donations to the Okerman family Memorial Fund can be made to your local Citizens Bank -- just call the bank for information on how to do so.