An eight-year-old boy, Taylor Thach, died after being found unresponsive at a residential home in Southern California during a World Cup viewing party. El Segundo police investigators say preliminary evidence points to accidental drowning as emergency crews ru
A World Cup watch party in Southern California ended in heartbreak late on Friday, June 12, when emergency crews were called to a home after an eight-year-old boy was reported unresponsive.
Responders reached the residential property at around 7:30 p.m. following reports that the child was not responding. Paramedics attempted life-saving measures at the scene before the boy was rushed to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He was pronounced dead there.
The victim has been identified as Taylor Thach. a third-grade student at Center Street School who had been visiting the home with family to watch the soccer action. Investigators say an official autopsy remains pending. but they have confirmed that preliminary evidence heavily points toward a pool accident at the venue.
“Every sign points to accidental drowning,” El Segundo Police Department Investigations Lieutenant Eric Atkinson said.
Detectives are working to piece together the moments leading up to the tragedy, collecting statements from other partygoers and witnesses to establish the full timeline.
Back in El Segundo, the community has been left reeling. The city released a statement honoring Taylor. describing him as a third-grade student who was “friendly. kind. affectionate. and polite.” The city added: “He brought joy to all who were fortunate enough to know him. His passing is an indescribable loss to his family and the entire community.”.
Center Street School is also preparing to support those most affected. School district officials confirmed that grief counselors and mental health staff will be stationed at the campus to support devastated classmates and teachers.
Family members have turned to the public for help as well. A GoFundMe campaign launched by loved ones to cover unexpected costs has already drawn an outpouring of support, blowing past its $5,000 target within hours and climbing to more than $80,000 as community members rally behind the family.
Those close to Taylor remembered a boy who was constantly thinking of others. Loved ones said he was incredibly polite and frequently went out of his way to greet neighbors and wish everyone he met a good day.
With an official autopsy still pending, investigators continue building their account of what happened during the World Cup celebrations that night—while the focus remains on the loss felt across a community that expected an evening of watching and cheering, not mourning.
Taylor Thach World Cup watch party accidental drowning El Segundo Police Department Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Center Street School GoFundMe grief counselors
World Cup watch parties are supposed to be fun, not horror stories. Poor kid.
How does an 8-year-old even end up drowning at a house party?? Like were the pool rules not a thing? So sad, and I hope they find out exactly what happened.
Accidental drowning, sure… but I always side-eye “preliminary evidence.” If it was just “a pool accident” then why keep saying timeline and statements? Kids drown fast, but you’d think someone would’ve noticed before calling 7:30 p.m.
This is heartbreaking. Also El Segundo is always doing events and stuff, so like it makes me wonder if they’re even safe with little kids around pools. GoFundMe already at $80k is crazy (in a good way) but money doesn’t bring him back. I saw Harbor-UCLA mentioned and thought it was like a World Cup sponsor hospital or something?? Anyway, prayers.