Boy, 7, drowns in Margate pool

17 December 2015 - 09:06 By Genevieve Quintal
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A 7-year-old boy drowned at the Margate swimming pool on Wednesday, paramedics said.

"[Paramedics] arrived at the scene and found lifeguards working tirelessly trying to resuscitate the 7-year-old boy," said Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha.

The child was put on a ventilator as paramedics tried to resuscitate him. "Tragically, despite working for about 45 minutes, the child was declared dead at the scene," Botha said.

Two more children almost drowned in two other separate incidences on Wednesday.

A 13-year-old girl was resuscitated at Strand beach in the Western Cape. "Reports from the family indicate that the child landed in a rip current and was pulled under the water; family members rushed to her assistance and pulled her lifeless body onto the beach," said Botha.

Paramedics started to resuscitate the teenager and continued to give her CPR as they drove her to a nearby hospital. The girl's heart started beating and she started breathing on her own again.

Earlier, Netcare 911 spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a 2-year-old boy was resuscitated after almost drowning in Mulbarton, Johannesburg.

The boy fell into the swimming pool at his home. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they administered CPR and resuscitated the toddler.

The child was airlifted to hospital for further treatment.

Source: News24

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