Video: Girls recovering from swimming accident

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KENMORE, Wash. - The head coach of four teenage girls involved in synchronized swimming accident Monday afternoon in Kenmore says chemicals in the pool were to blame.

The teens, members of the Seattle Synchronized Swim Team, were going through drills in the indoor pool at St. Edwards State Park when one passed out and slipped under water, another struggled to the side of the pool and two other girls sank to the bottom.

Head coach Julie Abel says she believes an imbalance in pool chemicals created a "dead zone" 5 inches thick above the water. When the swimmers would come up for air they would essentially breathe in poison.

Coach Lacey Ethier performed CPR as fellow coach Aleksandra Lazovic pulled two unconscious girls from the water.

"I saw three other girls pull out one of their teammates and she was clearly not awake," said Lacey Ethier, swim coach. "So, I ran over to help and I saw two more girls on the bottom of the pool."

"I saw the synch coach jump in with all her clothes on, which is very unusual," said Rachael Hublou, lifeguard. "She came out of the water and was holding a girl that was completely blue."

All four were transported to the hospital. By the end of the day Tuesday, they had all been released.

The mother of 12-year-old Emily Drew commended the coaches from her daughter's hospital room today Tuesday.

"They saved their lives. One coach jumped in and pulled them out, another performed CPR, and I will remember them for the rest of my life for what they did for my daughter," Stephanie Drew said.

KING

King County health officials investigating Tuesday had found no problems with air or water quality at the pool.

Some members of the Seattle Synchronized Swim Team have competed in the Olympics. Officials said part of their training is learning how to hold their breath for long periods of time.

The King County Health Department is still investigating the incident. Officials there say at this point they found no problems with air or water quality at the pool.

Right now they are at a loss as to exactly what caused the swimmers to nearly drown.