According to Central Police Station commander, Superintendent Mogomotsi Kesupile, the Standard 7 pupil was alleged to have drowned whilst swimming at a pool party hosted at Lion’s Club in Area A location.
The teenage boy was a learner at Monarch Primary School. Kesupile said that nobody realised that the teenager had drowned until another swimmer tripped over him. The swimmer called out for help from the instructor who jumped into the pool in an attempt to rescue the boy and managed to take him out of the waters, the station head added.
Kesupile indicated that the boy was then rushed to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital where he was certified dead. He warned parents against releasing their children to occasions without full knowledge of who will be taking care of them in their absence.
Kesupile also encouraged swimming pool instructors to be alert and supervise children under their care when they come for sessions in their area. He said the instructors should closely watch children while in the pool even if there is no substitute for parental supervision. Foremost, he stated that before children use the pool, they should be able to swim. Having basic swimming techniques is a crucial part of drowning prevention.
This is the second case of drowning in a swimming pool in the northern region in just a week. Last weekend, a two-year-old baby from Tonota village was reported to have drowned in a swimming pool. The baby allegedly snuck out of the house whilst his 38-year-old mother was preparing breakfast and drowned in the family pool.
