An exchange group from Ozu, Japan, including 10 teenagers and sponsors, arrived in Hastings on July 27. The group was scheduled to remain in Nebraska through early Aug. 5, visiting sites in Hastings and Lincoln.

On July 31, one of the Ozu students, a 13-year-old female, was removed from the water while at the Hastings Aquacourt Water Park. Lifeguards and first responders administered lifesaving measures, including CPR and AED. Sadly, she passed away in the early morning hours of August 4. Members of family were by her side.

Your gift will support the medical treatment, including hospital stays in Hastings and Omaha, and life flight services. In addition, gifts will be used to support the unexpected international travel expenses incurred by her family.

Hastings, Nebraska and Ozu, Japan established a sister city relationship in 1995. In that time, both communities have sent numerous delegations to experience fostering international understanding and education across cultures.

We are grateful for the leaders and volunteers of the Hastings International Exchange Organization (HIEO) who put tremendous work into planning this exchange visit - and who are now supporting those impacted by this event. Recognizing that the HIEO is busy managing a very difficult situation, this page was created by a group of local volunteers. All of the funds raised will be given to HIEO. That group will coordinate distributions of funds based on the needs of the family as outlined above.