Boy, 3, drowns in pool at busy David Lloyd leisure centre
A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy drowned yesterday during a family swimming session at a busy private health club.
Young swimmers, some of whom were having lessons, watched in horror as a lifeguard attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after the boy was plucked unconscious from the water at the David Lloyd centre in Moortown, Leeds.
The youngster, accompanied by his mother, was rushed by ambulance to the city’s General Infirmary, where he died.
A beginners’ swimming class was under way in part of the indoor pool at the time the boy was discovered, but he had not been taking part.
West Yorkshire Police are investigating the death but said last night that it appeared to be ‘a tragic accident’.
Detective Inspector James Entwistle said: ‘Our thoughts are with the boy’s family at this extremely difficult time.
‘While there is nothing to suggest the death was suspicious, we do have a duty to investigate the circumstances of what has happened.’
The boy was spotted in the indoor pool at 9.30am, just as three Swim All Stars sessions – one for beginners – were coming to an end. Distressed customers were later seen rushing from the centre, where a family membership costs around £180 a month. One woman aged in her 40s sobbed: ‘I am never swimming in that pool again.’
Club member Ash Moyassari, 12, said he saw people ‘rushing out and crying’ as he entered to use the club’s outdoor pool.
‘I was told by someone who works there that a little child had died,’ he added. ‘There were a lot of people leaving – some of them were running out and crying.
‘It’s really tragic. I feel bad for the boy’s parents.’
DI Entwistle said many swimmers had left by the time police arrived and appealed for anyone who saw what happened to come forward.
A David Lloyd spokesman said staff were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the tragedy. The centre remained closed last night.
David Lloyd Leisure Ltd was fined £350,000 in 2016 after admitting breaching health and safety laws when a five-year-old boy nearly drowned at its Heston club in Hounslow, West London.