Child Drowns in Community Swimming Pool

A 7-year-old child drowned in a community swimming pool operated by the Parks and Recreation Department with two Lifeguards on duty. The child was last seen diving off the diving board when he began to choke and struggle in the water. The two Lifeguards had been standing side-by-side talking to one another next to the elevated Lifeguard stand and failed to observe the child’s distress. Another child saw the victim and ran to the Lifeguards in order to get their attention. The Lifeguards removed the child from the water and began CPR which was continued until EMS personnel arrived on the scene. The child was transported to the hospital where he died several days later from complications resulting from the near-drowning.