Cape Town - The Western Cape Police are investigating how a 7-year-old boy gained access to a “decommissioned and unused” swimming pool at Tygerberg Hospital, where he drowned.
The boy died on Friday afternoon, provincial health department spokesperson Mark van der Heever said.
“The pool was enclosed, gates locked and access prohibited.”
He said the circumstances surrounding the “tragic drowning” was were being investigated by police. “The Department’s EMS division responded to the call but unfortunately could not resuscitate the boy and he was declared deceased at the scene”.
Van der Heever said the boy is not the child of an employee nor a patient, “but was from the neighbouring area”.
Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the Parow police had opened an inquest docket.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo expressed her shock on at the incident and said the department has afforded counselling for the boy’s parents.
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