Insurer for Nebraska Town Settles Claim Filed in Water Park Death

Grand Island, Neb.’s insurance carrier has settled a claim against the city over the drowning of a 5-year-old girl at the city’s Island Oasis Water Park last summer.

The claim for more than $1 million was filed in September by Dumale Bariyiga, of Lincoln, the mother of the girl, Nubari Koffree. Bariyiga alleged the lifeguards on duty July 18, 2015, were negligent. The Hall County coroner has said the drowning was an accident, and city officials say personnel followed proper procedures that day.

A memo from the city attorney to the City Council for its meeting Tuesday said the insurance carrier has agreed to pay $240,000 to settle the claim filed by Bariyiga. Council action is not required.