Murky Pond Water May Have Contributed to Pinehust Drowning

Posted by Jesse Guerra on July 30, 2011

Swimming pondThe Pine Journal reported this week on a tragic pond drowning that took the life of a young child, Wyatt A. Hanna.  The boy was found by lifeguards at the Pinehurt Park Pond in about three feet of water near children’s slides set up for the youngest park users.  Following the accident many community members are trying to piece together the accident to understand what went wrong and what can be done to prevent future drownings.

According to reports Wyatt was at the pond as part of a field trip with the Duluth Schools’ Kid Connection program.  Six lifeguards were on duty at the time and four adult chaperones were monitoring the children.  Thirty two children were part of the program group, but many others were also in the water at the time.  Around 250 total people were swimming in the pond when the accident occurred.

It remains unclear how the first-grader could have slipped under the water without notice of any guards or chaperones.  However, ponds often pose the unique risk of having murky water that makes it hard for others to notice swimmers struggling under the water.  One City Council member involved with the creation of the man-made pond in the 1970s admitted that the murky water has always been an issue at the pond.  When the city was considering whether to build a regular concrete pool or a pond that risk factor was often mentioned during the discussions.

Unique safety precautions need to be taken any time that young children are in the water.  The specific measures that should be taken vary depending on the risks that a specific body of water poses.  Swimming pools must have drain covers, clear water, gates, fencing, locks, and similar safe conditions.  Ponds have different safety needs.  For example, obstacles should not be placed in locations that make it difficult for lifeguards to see all areas of the water, and the design of the man-made pond should not pose risks to young swimmers unfamiliar with the dangers of the water.

Our Texas swimming pool lawyer urges all parents to remain especially vigilant when their children are swimming in bodies of water like ponds, lakes, and the ocean.  The murky water in these places will almost always prevent observers from seeing anyone who has slipped even a few inches under the water.   In addition, it is important for all those who operate these spaces to understand the unique risks they pose and take reasonable steps to guard against them.  By opening these spaces to the public and inviting families to use these facilities, operators must understand that they have to take appropriate steps to keep those guests safe.

Occasionally a swimming pool accident will strike that likely could not have been prevented.  However, in many cases, a thorough investigation reveals that the tragedy could have been avoided if certain conditions were fixed or other safety measures were taken.  In those cases, it is important for victims to come forward and take steps to ensure changes are made so that the unsafe conditions are fixed.

 

See Our Related Blog Posts:

Murky Pools Must Be Closed Down Immediately

What Every Police Officer Needs to Know About a Pool Drowning Investigation

Student Drowns in Florida Gulf Cost University Lake

Posted by Jesse Guerra on June 28, 2011

 

A 21-year university student was killed last week in a tragic lake drowning in an area operated by the Florida Gulf Coast University.  According to reports in the News Press, Joel Johnson was swimming with several fellow university students shortly after midnight one evening last week.  It seems that the group was attempting to swim out to a floating trampoline that was situated about 30 feet from the shoreline of the campus lake. 

However, shortly after entering the water, Joel began to struggle. A few friends who had stayed on shore saw the student flailing his arms in an effort to stay above the water.  Those in the water attempted to go to his aid, but they had trouble finding him in the dark water.  Others called 911 for assistance.  Emergency workers arrived and shone a floodlight on the water in an effort to find the distressed student.  About an hour later the victim’s body was found unresponsive in the water.

The tragic swimming accident has led many to question how such an incident could strike on the university owned and operated lake.  The lake is situated on the east side of the campus and is a popular spot for students.  Lifeguards monitor the often crowded swimming and sunbathing location until 5 p.m. each day.  Students interviewed after the accident explained, however, that it was well-known that swimmers used the water after lifeguards left and into the night.  There were no warnings posted at the time of the accident about night swimming.  Following the drowning a sign was placed on the beach indicating that all water activities were temporarily prohibited.

A lot of attention is given to swimming pool drownings—and rightfully so.  But water accidents that strike in lakes, rivers, and other beaches are often just as deadly.  It remains vital for those who manage these locations to ensure that swimmers are safe and made aware of the risks posed to them.  The danger is particularly clear when children are involved.  However, as this accident shows, even adults are at risk when using unsafe waters.

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