5-year-old ‘drowns’ in swimming pool at Gurugram housing society

Sumedha Sharma

Gurugram, July 25 

A five-year-old boy allegedly drowned in a swimming pool in a club of BPTP Park Serene Society in Sector 37 here on Wednesday evening.

The incident took place when the pool staff and life guards were around. This has enraged the locals who have demanded strict action.

Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav has ordered an inquiry.

According to the police, the minor went to the swimming pool with his grandmother, who suddenly left the place as she had forgotten something at home. He was initially in the children’s pool, but then moved to the adults’ pool and allegedly drowned there.

One of the lifeguards spotted the boy after several minutes and retrieved him from the pool.

The CCTV footage showed that no attempt was made to resuscitate him. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Locals protested on the premises against the private firm responsible for the housing society’s security and pool safety. They alleged that untrained professionals were hired as lifeguards, despite them paying hefty maintenance fees.

The employees and guards of the firm reportedly fled the spot when the protest began. “He could have been saved if the staff were alert and trained. They need to be counselled so that such incidents are not repeated,” said the boy’s grandfather.

Meanwhile, the police arrested two lifeguards for negligence. A case was registered against lifeguards and other management authorities under Section 106 (causing death by negligence) of the BNS.