Fatal Pool Mishap Accident Investigation Report Released

  • Published
  • Air Force Materiel Command

Air Force Materiel Command officials released findings of the Ground Accident Investigation Board (GAIB), which examined the collapse of a partition wall inside a pool bathhouse at Robins AFB, Georgia on July 22, 2024.

The falling wall resulted in the death of Gabriel Lee Stone, a 14-year-old boy, and injured three others, one seriously.

According to the report, the boys – including two brothers, and two guests – exited the pool after swimming at approximately 3 p.m. when lifeguards transitioned the pool to adult lap swimming only.  Three of the boys went inside the men’s bathhouse adjacent to the pool, while one went to the snack bar.

The fourth boy entered the men’s bathhouse as the wall was beginning to fall. Witness accounts varied as to what took place immediately prior. The report noted scenarios ranged from no one touching the mishap wall, to anywhere from one to three people climbing on it.

Lifeguards immediately responded when they heard a loud noise come from the men’s bathhouse, followed by shouts. They discovered the freestanding, cement masonry block partition wall had fallen, trapping two of the boys. The 7-foot-4-inch wall weighed approximately 3,300 pounds.

The two seriously injured boys were transported by ambulance to hospitals in Warner Robins, and Macon, Georgia.  One died shortly after arriving at the Houston Health Emergency Room as a result of head trauma. The other was hospitalized for several days before being released.

The report stated witness testimony and records reviews noted no reported or known deficiencies with the partition wall prior to the mishap. Post-mishap analysis of the wall did not indicate a structural failure. Rather, it fell over after some external force was applied. 

The bathhouse was constructed in 1969. Although required by standard building codes when it was designed and constructed, the investigation determined the partition wall lacked required anchoring. 

Brig. Gen. Patrick G. Miller was the GAIB president.  The primary purpose of the board was to investigate the  mishap and provide a publicly releasable report of the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident.

The GAIB report is available at https://www.afjag.af.mil/AIB-Reports/.