SD Area 11-Year-Old Died Of Congenital Heart Condition After Falling Ill At Water Park

IRVINE, CA — The 11-year-old who suffered a medical emergency over the weekend at Wild Rivers water park died of a congenital heart condition, according to authorities.

Titus Mark Wininger, of Escondido, had anomalous insertion of coronary arteries, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matt Parrish.

Law enforcement and fire officials responded mid-day Saturday to the park and took the boy to the hospital, Irvine police said, noting he died the same day but the death did not appear to be water-related.

Wininger had been visiting the park with a youth group when he became unresponsive, according to a GoFundMe for the family.

“Our hearts go out to the boy’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Wild Rivers said in a Facebook post. “We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Wininger’s condition, in which a coronary artery is formed incorrectly before birth, affects up to 1 percent of the population and in most cases is not dangerous, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Diagnosing an anomalous coronary artery can be difficult because some people don’t have symptoms.