Holiday accident pool lifeguard cover 'adequate'
THERE was "adequate" lifeguard cover at a swimming pool where a seven-year-old boy suffered brain damage after he almost drowned, an expert told a court today.
Keith Sach, an independent safety consultant, told a jury at Cardiff Crown Court that a lifeguard was no substitute for the supervision of a parent.
Chad Mole suffered a "catastrophic brain injury" after he nearly drowned at the Splash Lands swimming pool on the Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl, South Wales.
The court has heard that, although he was revived, the boy was left severely disabled.
His father, Brian Mole, from Halesowen, near Birmingham, told the court he took Chad and his other son JJ, then four, to the pool during a holiday on October 18 2005.
He said none of them could swim and he thought Chad was behind him while he played with JJ.
Mr Mole said he then saw another pool-goer bringing Chad "lifeless" out of the pool.
He said: "He was lifeless and I screamed and screamed 'Where were the lifeguards?'.
"They should have done their job. I thought that pool was safe. I thought they would be watching at all times."
Mr Sach, who helped compile the Health and Safety Executive's guidance to pool operators, told the court the HSE made it clear that children under eight needed a level of supervision the pool operator, through lifeguards, could not deliver.
He said: "It recognises that by saying the first risk control measure is direct supervision by a parent or adult."
The prosecution claims the pool's owner and operator, Upper Bay Limited, failed to ensure Chad was not exposed to risks to his health and safety. The company denies the charge.
John Cooper, defending Upper Bay Limited, asked Mr Sach: "The fundamental line of responsibility is the parent?"
Mr Sach replied: "Yes."
Mr Sach went on: "The evidence we heard from Mr Mole made it clear that he did not accept the responsibility about which we are currently talking.
"His view was that the lifeguards took complete responsibility for the safety of his children under eight."
Mr Sach added that the three lifeguards watching the pool at the time of the incident "seems to me adequate".
Comments
by Ann Lewis, port talbot
Tuesday, November 18 2008, 9:53PM
“I have visited Splashland on many occasions and there are always plenty of lifeguards on duty. i witnessed an incident once whereby a young man hurt his back coming down the big slide, the young lifeguards took charge of the situation. gave first aid to the man called for an ambulance and looked after and reasured the mans two young children. i was so impressed by the swift and caring action of these young people i wrote to the site manager telling him he should be proud of his staff. i'm so sad for this little boy and his father it is a terrible thing to happen but i take my grandaughter swimming at Splashland and i have never had any doubts about her safety.”