5-year-old Boy Saves Toddler from Drowning in Irvine Swimming Pool
5-year-old Boy Saves Toddler from Drowning in Irvine Swimming Pool
A 5-year-old boy who was celebrating his birthday in Irvine over the weekend ended up saving the life of a 2-year-old girl who had slipped under the water unnoticed. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the two children were sitting near a hot tub at 5:45 p.m. in the 1000 block of Crested Bird when an adult who was watching them turned away.
The girl fell in the water soon losing consciousness and was underwater for less than a minute when the 5-year-old pulled her out. Bystanders performed CPR on the girl and called 911. The girl regained consciousness before being transported in moderate condition to the hospital. Officials said there was no lifeguard on duty at the community pool area where the hot tub is located.
Safety First
Our thoughts and prayers are with this child who has apparently suffered serious injuries in this swimming pool accident. We wish her the very best for a quick and complete recovery. We commend the thoughtful young boy who had the presence of mind and the ability to pull the girl out before it was too late. His actions no doubt saved the toddler’s life.
This near-drowning incident shows just how important it is to be safe not just in the pool, but also in the surrounding areas. It is essential that pools remain inaccessible to unsupervised children and toddlers. Owners of public pools should make sure that the fence around the enclosure is at the proper height and that gaps in the fence do not exceed 4 inches to prevent easy access through or under the barrier. In this particular case, it is not clear if the young child was allowed in the pool or if she slipped and fell.
Supervision Saves Lives
This story also shows us the importance of vigilant adult supervision. When adults are supervising children, they should not be engaged in a conversation with other individuals or over the phone. They should not consume alcohol or be involved in any type of action that distracts them from the important task at hand – supervising kids in the water. This incident shows us how even taking one’s eyes off the pool for a minute can result in a horrible tragedy.
If your child has been injured in a swimming pool accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact an experienced Orange County swimming pool lawyer who can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
