By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The mother of the man who died at the Barren County Family YMCA has filed a lawsuit in Barren County Circuit Court.
Deborah Chance, the mother and administrator of William Bailey’s estate filed the lawsuit against the Barren County Family YMCA, the Barren County Family YMCA Foundation and the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States on Oct. 29, court records obtained from the Barren County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office states.
The lawsuit stems from the death of 24-year-old William “Tex” Bailey, who suffered a “medical emergency” while participating in Fish and Wildlife water training at the YMCA on Nov. 1, 2024. Outside reporting states Bailey’s cause of death as an accidental drowning.
Against the three defendants are counts of gross and corporate negligence through their actions, or seeming lack thereof, on Nov. 1 that contributed to the death of Bailey, the court documents state.
Chance is asking for the amount “a jury may find fair and reasonable,” her expended costs, a trial by jury and “interest on any amount which may be awarded,” according to the filing. The court filing does not mention an exact amount of money.
Glasgow News 1 reached out to Kerrick Bachert, the law firm representing the YMCA, which provided the following comment via email.
“The Barren County Family YMCA is aware of the lawsuit filed on behalf of William Bailey. We understand that, at the time of the November 1, 2024 incident, Mr. Bailey was a recruit employed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The [Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources] had rented a portion of the YMCA’s facility to conduct training exercises, including water combat and rescue training. Mr. Bailey is believed to have suffered a medical emergency during his participation in the water training, which ultimately led to his passing.
“[Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources] officials were solely responsible for conducting the training exercises, and Mr. Bailey was under their supervision and control at all relevant times. [Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources] officials were also responsible for administering aid to Mr. Bailey after he encountered the medical emergency. The evidence will show the Barren County Family YMCA and its employees responded immediately to this emergency situation and provided appropriate support to the [Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources] officials as it occurred.
“We will respond to the lawsuit in due course and are confident the YMCA will be exonerated of any negligence or wrongdoing. Because this matter is now in active litigation, we do not anticipate making any further comment until it is resolved.”
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