Crime & Safety

Danville Freshman's Death Ruled Accidental Drowning: Report

The ruling came less than a month after 15-year-old Benjamin Curry's tragic death.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Contra Costa County Coroner's Office last week ruled the death of a San Ramon Valley High School freshman who drowned in the school pool as accidental, according to media reports. The ruling came less than a month after Benjamin Curry’s tragic death. Danville Police Chief Allan Shields said the investigation into the drowning is ongoing.

A San Ramon Unified School District spokesperson said the district could not comment on an active police investigation and will "commence their own internal review" after the police department completes its investigation.

"As part of that process, we will be examining our policies and procedures in an ongoing effort to try to ensure the safety of our students," district spokesperson Elizabeth Graswich told Patch. "Our thoughts continue to be with the student’s family and loved ones, as well as our students and staff."

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The 15-year-old boy was pulled from the water around 1:40 p.m. on May 8th and was rushed to Kaiser Walnut Creek where he was pronounced dead, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner's Office. Ben, who had just participated in his regular swimming class, was seen on video going under the water as students left the pool for the locker room at about 12:30 p.m. but he never resurfaced, according to a report in the Mercury News.

The day after his death, a memorial at the school continued to grow throughout the day and a candlelight vigil was held in his honor at the school's football field. A celebration of life was held for Ben at the Community Presbyterian Church Sanctuary in Danville on May 24.

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CPC Associate Pastor of Care Ministries Heidi Johnson issued the following statement before the memorial services on behalf of his family:

"The Currys are deeply grieving the loss of their one and only child they had together. They loved him beyond words. They will miss watching him play basketball - most recently for his AAU Team Payton and for San Ramon Valley High, his joyful presence and sense of humor. Ben was everything to them and this loss has left a gaping hole. He was their light.”


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