Class 11 student, watchman drown in unlicensed pool

Later, the swimming pool at a private hotel in the foothills of Marudamalai was found to be running without a license. It also did not have trained professional as mandated to attend emergencies.

With exams getting over, P Anbu Selvan (17), son of a flower vendor from Indira Nagar studying Class 11 in a private school, had gone to the swimming pool along with four friends. None of the youngsters knew swimming.

Anbu Selvan ventured into the deeper part of the pool and began to drown. On seeing him drowning, his friends cried for help. Hearing this, Devarajan, a 58-year-old working as security guard at the hotel jumped into the pool to save him. But he, too, drowned while trying to rescue the teenager.

The neighbours then brought them out from the waters and rushed them to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) by an ambulance. However, the duo died even before reaching the hospital. Police said Devarajan had joined work at the hotel only 10 days ago. He is survived by wife Pushpa and son Soundarajan.

The Perur police have registered a case. Their inquiries revealed that the swimming pool has been operating without a license and did not have a trainer though it is mandatory. Following this, police have recommended to Somayampalayam Town Panchayat officials to shut down the swimming pool.

A case has been registered and further inquiries are on.