Riverland town of Waikerie in shock after boy, 9, dies in suspected drowning

The Riverland community is rallying around the heartbroken family of a little boy who drowned at the Waikerie pool at the weekend.

Pool staff at the scene of where a young drowned at the Waikerie Swimming Centre. Picture: Tom Huntley

The residents of a Riverland town are mourning the loss of a nine-year-old boy who drowned at their council-owned swimming pool on Saturday afternoon.

Mayor of Loxton and Waikerie Trevor Norton said the community was rallying around the grieving family.

“I don’t really have anything other to say than how saddened we are by it,” Mr Norton said. “We’re reaching out to provide support around the family and community.”

Loxton-Waikerie area councillor Craig Ferber said the death had shaken the community.

“Everyone’s in deep shock,” he said. “It’s devastating for the community in Waikerie.”

Area councillors were at a training session in Renmark when they heard about the tragic incident, he said.

Mr Ferber expressed sympathy for the family of the child.

Residents neighbouring the pool were also stunned by tragic loss of life.

“It’s a very sad day,” said Sandra, who lives opposite the pool and had been swimming there just an hour before the incident.

A SafeWork SA inspector at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Kids should feel safe at the pool, especially considering the river is unsafe,” she said.

A regular user of the pool, she expressed sympathy for the family and for pool staff.

“My heart goes out to the family and I feel for the lifeguards,” she said.

Police patrols and paramedics were called to the Waikerie Pool on Lawrie Terrace just after 3.30pm after the young boy was dragged from the pool unconscious.

Paramedics worked to revive the child before rushing him to Waikerie Hospital but he died a short time later.

The state’s safety watchdog has launched a preliminary inquiry into the death.

The pool’s operator notified SafeWork SA of the death at 5.15pm on Saturday.

An agency spokesman said two SafeWork SA staff – an inspector and an investigator – attended the site “to make inquiries” on Sunday morning.

This will influence a decision on whether to launch a formal investigation.

A SafeWork SA inspector at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Tom Huntley

Members of the bowls club next to the pool watched on as emergency services rushed to the scene in an attempt to revive the boy.

“You can turn around and they can be gone in an instant,” a member of the bowls club said.

In a statement on Facebook, the District Council of Loxton Waikerie posted:

“It is with sadness that we let the community know of a fatal incident that occurred yesterday at the Waikerie Swimming Centre. We extend our deep condolences to the parents and family that lost their loved one.”

“We are in shock that this has occurred in our community and it is difficult to find the words to offer comfort in a time of extreme grief.

“We will look to offer counselling support to the community and especially the community members who were present at such a traumatic event.

“We thank the SA Ambulance personnel for their response and SA Police staff that attended.”

SA Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and they were preparing a report for the coroner.

Royal Lifesaving Australia chief executive officer, Justin Scarr, said his organisation was becoming increasingly concerned at the decline of swimming skills in children across the country.

While he declined to comment on specific cases including the Riverland drowning, he urged parents to book their children into school holiday swimming classes or programs to boost skills during the summer.

He said swimming centres were generally the safest environment.

“But lifeguards are not babysitters and parents play an important role and need to keep watch of their children in the water,” he said.

“They should generally be within arms reach of very young children and within sight of older children.

“It is not only traumatic for any family but also the lifeguards.”

Latest data shows two drowning deaths in Australia so far this summer, compared to five last year.