Boy, 4, drowns in pool at holiday organised by drugs rehab group

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy drowned at a holiday camp swimming pool during an event organised by a drugs rehab charity after staff said something went “horrifically wrong”.

The boy, named locally as George Miller, from Weymouth, Dorset, was at the end of a week-long holiday with his family, organised by Devon Narcotics Anonymous.

Emergency services were called to Knapp House Activity Centre, in Bideford, Devon, and the boy was taken to hospital, but he could not be saved. The youngster was taking part in the sixth annual camp-out for members of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and their families. Dusty Miller, thought to be George’s father, is a recovering drug addict who celebrated three years free from addiction last October.

Ruth Hill, believed to be his mother, posted a picture of the boy on Facebook in tribute yesterday.

When the toddler went missing, campers joined police and staff in a search of roads, fields and hedgerows, but he was later found in the site’s pool.

A resident living next to the campsite, who joined the search, said she had been told he had been missing for almost 90 minutes. She added: “I was asked to help by staff at the centre. They said the little boy had been last seen by his father at 1.30pm.

“Somehow he must have wandered into the pool building. From my own knowledge I know that it is not open all the time – only when supervisors and lifeguards are on duty.”

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “The boy’s next of kin have been informed and inquiries continue. Officers are investigating the circumstances and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.”