Lifeguard and teenager rescues unconscious boy as council warns parents to be more responsible in the pool

AN UNCONSCIOUS seven-year-old was pulled from a Blacktown Leisure Centre pool by a lifeguard and a swimmer before being revived by CRP.

Blacktown Leisure Centre at Stanhope Gardens.

• More housing estates for Riverstone
• Reading treat for local students

AN UNCONSCIOUS boy was rescued by a lifeguard and a swimmer at the wave pool at Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope on Wednesday, prompting a stern warning to parents from the council.

The seven-year-old was pulled out of the wave pool by the lifeguard and teenage swimmer and then revived by CRP before being transported to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for further observation.

Recently re-elected Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said a tragedy was averted but said parents and carers should take extra responsibility at the swimming pools.

Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said a tragedy was averted but said parents and carers should take extra responsibility at the swimming pools.

“Today’s rescue was in the nick of time and it would be tragic if a school holiday outing ended in tragedy because someone wasn’t watching over their children in the pool,” mayor Bali said.

“Parents and carers have a responsibility to look after their children — lifeguards do a great job keeping our pools safe, but they are not babysitters,” he said.

“This is a reminder that, as summer fast approaches, parents and carers must remain vigilant at all times when their children are in the water.”

The Facts

■ According to Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2016, 280 people drowned in Australian water ways between July 1, and June 30, 2016, with 21 being between the ages of 0 and 4. Seven were aged between 5 — 14. Worryingly, 36 per cent of these fatalities occurred in swimming pools.

■ Blacktown Council said its leisure and aquatic centres endorse the Royal Life Saving Society Keep Watch campaign which targets parents and carers of children to help them understand the dangers of leaving children unattended at the pool.

IN OTHER NEWS — I Lost Weight But Lost My Husband!

EIGHTY-five per cent of relationships end within two years of one partner having weight loss surgery. In a society obsessed with being thin, it’s almost a given that losing weight will lead to health and happiness. This program dares to ask if that’s a big fat lie.