Boy, 7, found unconscious in hotel pool at Resorts World Sentosa
7-year-old boy dies after he is found unconscious at hotel pool
It was a relaxing June school holiday getaway that turned into a nightmare for one family.
A seven-year-old boy was found unconscious at a hotel swimming pool at Resorts World Sentosa on Sunday evening, reported Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao.
A witness told Wanbao that she saw attempts to resuscitate the child after he was pulled out of the water.
"I saw a lifeguard administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the boy, while several staff members were around to assist the family," said the woman, who declined to be named.
"Paramedics arrived soon after and took over, but the boy still did not show signs of life," she said.
After the incident, the hotel management closed public access to the pool, which has a maximum depth of 1.2m.
A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) spokesman told The New Paper that the boy was found at the scene with no pulse or signs of breathing.
He was taken to Singapore General Hospital where he subsequently died. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
Resorts World Sentosa said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened by this incident and we are assisting the police with investigations."
Private swimming instructor Jennifer Grahame, 48, advises parents to supervise their children at the pool instead of relying on lifeguards.
"Drowning can happen in water levels 3cm and above, but signs of drowning are not always the same.
"Some children may not even exhibit obvious signs of struggle or make any noise to indicate that they are drowning," said Madam Grahame.
Another private swimming instructor Kelvin Chan, 23, also advised parents not to get complacent with safety.
Said Mr Chan: "Children who can swim may also drown if they are too rowdy.
"It is best if parents can regularly keep an eye on their kids when they are swimming."
- additional reporting by Tryne Ong
Some children may not even exhibit obvious signs of struggle or make any noise to indicate that they are drowning.
- Private swimming instructor Jennifer Grahame, stressing that parental supervision is important in pools
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