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A lifeguard working at the Roosevelt Park swimming pool was injured Wednesday evening when she apparently utilized the slide in an unsafe manner.

Rachelle Brockell, 22, of Minot, fell 12 to 15 feet as the apparent result of a technique known as "dry sliding."

Minot Parks Director Ron Merritt said that by utilizing the technique, higher speeds can be attained going down the slide.

"You shut the water off and then go down while it's still wet," Merritt said Thursday morning. "Evidently, you can go down about twice as fast."

Brockell was transported to Trinity Hospital by ambulance. Police docket reports indicate that although the initial 9-1-1 call stated she was "not responding to stimuli," Brockell, who graduated this spring from Jamestown College with highest honors, was responsive by the time she was transported.

Merritt said that despite the accident, the slide is believed to be in working order.

"If you use the slide correctly, it's perfectly safe," he said. "We are going to do a complete physical inspection before the slide opens (Thursday) as a precaution to make sure it's completely safe."

The slide appeared to be open shortly after noon on Thursday.

Merritt said that an engineer inspected the slide this past year when the bathhouse project was under way.

Merritt stopped short of saying that the lifeguards are permitted to use the facilities after closing, but indicated that those types of activities are not strictly prohibited either.

"Typically they close down the pool at 8:30," he said. "Then, whoever is at the top of the slide when they turn the water off will go down.

"It takes a while to get everything cleaned up."

Merritt said it is common for the employees to do some swimming during that time period. As a result of the accident, however, he said the policies will be reviewed concerning those activities and changes will be made wherever necessary in an attempt to prevent any future accidents. In the meantime, it should be business as usual as it pertains to the swimming public.

"We're still convinced the slide is 100 percent safe for use," Merritt said.