Nine-year-old boy dies after drowning at Weltevrede Swimming Pool in Wellington

A nine-year-old boy has died following a drowning incident at the Weltevrede Swimming Pool in Wellington on Saturday, February 21, says the Drakenstein Municipality.

Lifeguards on duty noticed a child in the water experiencing difficulty at around 2pm and immediately pulled him out, the municipality said in a statement.  

"Lifeguards initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continued resuscitation efforts until emergency medical services arrived on the scene." 

Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, the boy was declared deceased by paramedics. The municipality extended its condolences to the family and loved ones affected by the tragic incident.

Police spokesperson F. C. Van Wyk confirmed that officers responded to a complaint of drowning at a public swimming pool in Bloekom Avenue at about 2:30pm.

“On arrival, members found a nine-year-old boy who had drowned. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation,” he said.

The circumstances surrounding the incident form part of the ongoing police investigation.

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