Bundaberg boy recovers after near-drowning at Norville Park Pool

A young boy’s miraculous survival was thanks to the quick actions of a young bystander, lifeguards, and medical teams. Now, he reflects on his recovery, and a new-found fear of water.

Leo, the nine year old who was found at the bottom of Norville pool has made a full recovery

A nine-year-old boy who was rescued after nearly drowning in a public pool in south Bundaberg has told his story for the first time.

Little Leo was rushed to Bundaberg Hospital in a critical condition after he was pulled unresponsive from the bottom of Norville Park Pool on Sunday, November 10.

However, Leo said he has little memory of the events.

“I don’t really remember anything,” he said.

“I remember getting in the car with my mum and little brother and swimming at the pool with him, but I don’t remember being near the big pool or going in it.
“I thought I went home, had dinner, and went to bed.
“Then I woke up in the hospital.”

Leo in the hospital.

Leo later learned he was spotted underwater by nine-year-old Jaxson Rombo, who alerted an adult to rescue him.

Lifeguards performed CPR before paramedics arrived.
Leo woke up five days after the incident to find himself in a hospital bed, connected to medical equipment and unable to speak.

“There were cables and things going into my nose and mouth,” he said.

“I couldn’t talk, and something was helping me breathe.
“The nurses gave me a draining tube because I couldn’t swallow properly.”

Leo, the nine year old who was found at the bottom of Norville pool has made a full recovery

Unable to communicate verbally, Leo used a notepad to express his needs and found even small movements exhausting.

“I eventually could sit up and do short walks, but it made me very tired and out of breath,” he said.
Visits from family, including his little brother, father, and aunt, brought some comfort. He was particularly delighted by a Sonic the Hedgehog toy his aunt gifted him.
As his condition improved, Leo moved to the general ward, where he could play games, though blurry vision and fatigue persisted.

Leo is now back at home with his family and his dogs.

Now at home, Leo is adjusting to life after the incident.
While he’s thrilled to be reunited with his family and his beloved dogs, he admits he feels differently about swimming.
“I feel like I never want to be near water again,” he said.
“But I’ve learned to be very careful and stay in the shallow water until I learn to swim.”
Leo had a message for other kids: “If you don’t know how to swim, don’t go near big pools.”

“Always have an adult watching you when you’re in the water,” he said.
“Thank you to the little boy with the goggles who saw me, the lifeguards who pulled me out, and the doctors and nurses in Bundaberg and Brisbane. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Norville Pool has since offered Leo swimming lessons to help rebuild his confidence.

Originally published as Bundaberg boy recovers after near-drowning at Norville Park Pool