Two Huntington Beach Youngsters Drown Unnoticed at Popular Area
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CHICO, Calif. — Two Huntington Beach youngsters drowned in a popular recreation area here, and police said Wednesday they were surprised that nobody saw them go under or heard cries for help.
About 200 people were at the Five Mile Recreational Dam in Bidwell Park Tuesday night when the youngsters disappeared, police said.
“Nobody saw them go under,” said Officer Ray Decka. “Nobody saw them thrashing around in the water or anything like that.”
The children, identified as Vilayphon Phavong, 10, and her brother, Sengkeo, 8, were pronounced dead shortly after 7 p.m. at Enloe Hospital in Chico, about an hour after their bodies were pulled from the water by a lifeguard.
The youngsters had arrived in Chico the night before with their parents, Houmphan and Sithone Phavong, and had spent the day at a picnic with family and friends, police said.
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