Girl, 5, Critical After Swimming Pool Accident

A 5-year-old girl was in critical condition Wednesday after she and her 3-year-old sister almost drowned while playing in their grandparents’ swimming pool in Fullerton, authorities said.

Randi Newkirk of Walnut was breathing with the help of a ventilator Wednesday evening at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Dr. Ralph Rucker, director of pulmonary services at the hospital, said she was in “bad shape.” Her younger sister, Robyn, was in fair condition at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.

The girls’ grandmother spotted Robyn floating face down in the pool about 1 p.m., authorities said. She pulled her from the pool, but could not find Randi and went to call rescuers. Within minutes, a Fullerton Fire Department engineer found the girl at the bottom of the pool. When he pulled her out she was not breathing, police said.

Robyn was revived by paramedics.