A 22-month-old boy drowned Tuesday evening in a backyard swimming pool in Mesa.

Ethan Foerstner managed to get into the backyard and through a pool fence and gate, according to the Mesa Fire Department.

It is unclear how long Ethan was missing before his father found him submerged in the pool and called 911 just after 7 p.m.

He was taken to Banner Desert Medical Center and pronounced dead upon arrival.

Henry Hughes, a friend of the family, described the little boy as "lively" and always smiling.

"It's just a tragedy," Hughes said.

Police are investigating the drowning, which occurred in the 900 block of East Kramer Street.

This is the 19th water-related incident and sixth fatality involving a child under the age of 6 in the Valley this year.

Reproduced with permission from: The Arizona Republic By Kimberly Dedes and Sarah McLellan ©Copyright 2007 Arizona Republic