Police investigate UK holiday park swimming pool death
Police are investigating the death of a four-year-old boy who died in hospital after being found in a holiday park swimming pool.
It is understood that the youngster, believed to be from Devon, was on a week-long family holiday, which had been organised by the charity Devon Narcotics Anonymous.
He was found in the pool at the Knapp House Activity Centre in Bideford, Devon, after being reported missing yesterday afternoon. He was taken to hospital by emergency services but later pronounced dead.
A Devon and and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Police were notified around 2.55pm yesterday, to reports of a missing four-year-old boy at Knapp House Activity Centre in Northam, Bideford.
"Following an extensive search assisted by the police helicopter, the child was located in a swimming pool at the site and taken to North Devon District Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
"The boy’s next of kin have been informed and enquiries continue. Officers are investigating the circumstances and the death is currently being treated as unexplained."
A Devon Narcotics Anonymous Campout Committee spokesman said the holidays, which have been taking place for six years, included the supervised use of the park’s swimming pool, which had trained lifeguards.
He added: "Very tragically today something has gone horrifically wrong and a young child of one of our members drowned in the pool. We are not aware of the exact details of how this happened and the police are obviously investigating."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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