Two young girls hospitalized after nearly drowning at a party - KOAM TV 7

Updated December 11, 2012:  One of the two girls taken to a Wichita hospital after nearly drowning at a birthday pool party has been released.

Wesley Medical Center says the girl, who had been in fair condition, was released on Monday.

We have yet to receive an update on the second girl.

Posted December 10, 2012:  Two young girls are in the hospital tonight after nearly drowning at a birthday pool party in Independence, Kansas.

The incident occurred Sunday at an indoor pool in Ash Youth Center in Independence.  Director of Recreation Brent Julian says the party was supervised and that the lifeguard on duty observed a young girl having difficulty.

After pulling the girl out of the water and giving her CPR, another girl started to drown in the water.  An employee at the center immediately called 911.

Both girls were airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.  A hospital spokesperson confirmed that one is currently listed in critical condition and the other in fair condition at this time.

Both girls are under the age of 10 and authorities are not releasing their names.

Police say the initial investigation is complete but that they will continue to interview witnesses to piece together the incident.

Independence Police Chief Harry E. Smith says the situation would have been much worse had the lifeguard not been on duty.  He says drowning's are a rarity in Independence and he couldn't recall one in the past year.

"It's just been a shock to everybody," says Chief Smith.  "EMS personnel, the police officers that were there, I mean, it's just something you are never really ready for when it's a young child."

"It was strange to have one, but to have two was really uncommon," says Chief Smith.

The Ash Center says they are aware of the seriousness of the situation and continues to keep the youngsters at the forefront of concern.