Iredell Collins was 84 years old and loved her tight-knit community in Fordyce. Her quiet morning routine took a terrible turn on Wednesday at the Carl Redus Jr. Aquatic Center. She went to the pool looking for a peaceful swim but never made it back home. The shocking incident has left everyone in the area completely heartbroken.
People who knew Iredell remember her as a bright light. Her warm personality always brought a lot of joy to her family and friends. Now, those close to her are struggling to accept that she is really gone. Her sudden absence has left a massive emotional void that will be incredibly hard to fill.
The tragic event unfolded quickly on a warm morning. Iredell arrived at the facility using her walker and left it resting against the wall. A lifeguard saw her get out of the pool safely at first. However, a strange feeling made the lifeguard double-check the water a few moments later.
That gut feeling turned into a neighbor’s worst nightmare. The lifeguard looked back and spotted Iredell floating completely unresponsive in the pool. Bystanders rushed to help pull the elderly woman out of the water. They immediately started desperate life-saving measures right there on the pool deck.
Emergency dispatchers sent responders to the scene just after 9:15 AM. Firefighters and medical teams took over and performed frantic CPR on Iredell. They loaded her into an ambulance and rushed her to the Jefferson Regional Medical Center. Sadly, doctors pronounced her dead at 9:55 AM.
Local authorities later confirmed that the official cause of death was drowning. The body was sent to the state crime lab for a standard autopsy. Neighbors in both Fordyce and Pine Bluff are leaning on each other for support. The grief is heavy because she touched so many lives over the years.
Mayor Vivian Flowers shared her deep sadness and offered condolences to the family. The city extended the pool’s closure through Monday to review all safety protocols carefully. Officials are asking the public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid spreading rumors. Everyone simply wants to remember the wonderful legacy Iredell left behind.
