8-year-old drowns in pool during coaching camp

Andrea, daughter of Biju, a resident of Padi Puthunagar, had already completed 11 days of the training at the camp conducted by VV Swimming Academy. The accident took place on the 12th day of the training.

The JJ Nagar police, which is investigating the case, told DTNext that initial investigation has revealed that the child might have drowned out of fatigue. However, what is shocking is that not only were 15 other students practising in the same pool under the guidance of a trainer, the girl’s parents were also present when the incident took place.

The pool authorities rushed the child first to the Sundaram Medical Foundation where she was declared brought dead. The body was later shifted to Kilpauk Medical College. The JJ Nagar police have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC. “We have checked the licence of the academy and it is up-to-date. An investigation is on to check if they have flouted any mandatory safety measures. If we find any such lapses, the Sections under which they have been booked will be altered,” Raj Prabhu, sub inspector of police, JJ Nagar, who is the investigation officer in this case, told DTNext. 

According to Raj Prabhu, the girl’s parents were sitting on chairs on the edge of the pool, encouraging Andrea. She had done four laps, but reportedly took in a lot of water in the process. At the end of the fourth lap, she collapsed and drowned. She was pulled out of the pool immediately and given first aid, but she did not respond to the cardio pulmonary resuscitation, he said. The training camp was being conducted between 7 am and 8 am, and the accident took place at 8 am, the police said.

Police sources said the post-mortem report has confirmed presence of water inside the lungs. The viscera samples have been sent to the lab for detailed analysis. “Parents have refused to give a complaint against the trainer or the academy. We are awaiting the viscera examination reports,” Raj Prabhu said.