Waikerie boy, 9, drowns at public swimming pool in South Australia rocking tight-knit community

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A 9-year-old boy drowns in a public pool, shocking a tight-knit town

  • Nine-year-old boy drowned in public pool Saturday after slipping underwater
  • A boy was pulled unconscious from the water in Waikerie, South Australia.
  • Paramedics tried to revive the boy and took him to the hospital before he died.

A nine-year-old boy tragically drowned after slipping silently underwater in a public swimming pool.

The boy was dragged unconscious from the water at Waikerie Pool at Lawrie Terrace in South Australia’s Riverland region at 3:30pm on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the scene and paramedics attempted to revive the boy before he was rushed to Waikerie Hospital, where he died.

The incident caused the swimming center to close early and the death shocked the entire small town, which has a population of just 2,600.

The boy was dragged unconscious from the water at Waikerie Pool at Lawrie Terrace in the Riverland region of South Australia, at 3:30pm on Saturday.

The boy was dragged unconscious from the water at Waikerie Pool at Lawrie Terrace in the Riverland region of South Australia, at 3:30pm on Saturday.

“Our thoughts are with the family involved, as well as the lifeguards, first responders and others present at the time,” the Waikerie Community Pool posted on Facebook.

Residents shared their anguish over the tragic incident that unfolded just weeks before Christmas.

Sandra, who lives opposite the pool, described it as a ‘very sad day’.

“Children should feel safe in the pool, especially considering that the river is not safe,” he said.

“My heart goes out to the family and I feel sorry for the lifeguards.”

Loxton and Waikerie Mayor Trevor Norton expressed his condolences to the family.

“I really have nothing more to say than how sad we are about that,” she said.

His comments were added to a statement posted by the Loxton Waikerie District Council on Facebook.

“It is with sadness that we inform the community of a fatal incident that occurred yesterday at the Waikerie Swimming Centre,” the post read.

Emergency services were called to the scene and paramedics attempted to revive the boy before he was rushed to Waikerie Hospital where he died (file image)

Emergency services were called to the scene and paramedics attempted to revive the boy before he was rushed to Waikerie Hospital where he died (file image)

“We express our deep condolences to the parents and relatives who lost their loved one.”

We are shocked that this has occurred in our community and it is hard to find words to offer comfort in a time of extreme grief.

“We will seek to offer advisory support to the community and especially to members of the community who were present at such a traumatic event.”

South Australia Police said officers were preparing a report for the coroner.