Pensacola, Fla. ? A 3-year-old Kansas boy who was visiting relatives drowned in a backyard pond after he followed his uncle outside, authorities said.

The child, Brandon Le, of Overland Park, was flown by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Greg Pearson said.

The drowning occurred at the Lake Estelle subdivision in the Pine Forest neighborhood. Pearson said Brandon had followed his uncle, Justin Phan, when Phan went outside to work in the yard.

“The uncle just turned his back, and that’s when it happened,” Pearson said. “This appears to be a tragic accident.”

Neighbors said the child was the son of Phan’s sister. The family of three was visiting.