A Missouri Western student died Wednesday after being pulled from a pool unresponsive on the university’s campus.

Emergency officials responded to a 911 call at the Looney Complex when a lifeguard spotted a swimmer who was underwater for what was described as an “unusually long time,” Western spokesperson Kent Heier said.

First responders arrived on the campus shortly before 2:00pm Wednesday afternoon.  A male student was pulled from the water and the lifeguard initiated CPR.  The student was taken by ambulance to Heartland where he later died.

“It’s just a tragedy,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Western’s president. “We are all saddened by today’s events and offer our condolences to the young man’s family and will do all we can to help them in this difficult time. Our staff is also prepared to help those in the campus community who knew him as a student and friend.”

Highway Patrol officers assisted in the investigation.  Western will release the students name sometime Thursday once the family has time to notify relatives.

The pool is typically open to Western students, staff and to the public throughout the year.  For now, the pool is closed and will remain closed until sometime tomorrow.