Lawyers win access to pool where Arlington Hts. firefighter drowned

Lawyers representing the family of an Arlington Heights firefighter who drowned earlier this year while cleaning a pool obtained a court order Wednesday allowing them access to the pool and its pump room in preparation for a possible lawsuit.

However, McHenry County Judge Maureen McIntrye rejected their request that she demand the pool's owners, Discovery Day Camp near Vernon Hills, give the attorneys results of their internal investigation into the incident.

Attorneys for the family say they need the information to determine whether the camp's owners, or anyone else, is to blame for the death of veteran firefighter Donald Swisher.

"It is crucial and essential that the attorneys gain immediate access to the swimming pool and pump room in order to conduct an examination by a team of consulting experts," attorney Robert Bingle wrote in the petition.

Swisher, 51, of Wonder Lake, drowned June 1 while cleaning debris in water about 12 feet deep at the bottom of the day camp's pool, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Authorities at the time said an extra weight belt Swisher was wearing along with his scuba gear possibly contributed to the drowning.

An Arlington Heights firefighter since 1992, Swisher served on the department's technical rescue, hazardous materials response and water rescue and recovery dive teams. He previously worked for the Mundelein Fire Department.