Boy Suffers Catastrophic Brain Injury from Pool Accident
13/7/2009
A boy suffered a catastrophic brain injury when he nearly drowned in a holiday park swimming pool which lacked adequate lifeguard cover. Chad Mole was found under the water at Trecco Bay Caravan Park's pool in October 2005, a Cardiff Court has heard.
The seven year old had been on holiday with his family. He was with his father and younger brother JJ in the Splashpool, when he wandered off. He found his way to the bubble pool area. Children under eight and non-swimmers were prohibited. He was spotted unaccompanied by a pool attendant and had been told to return to his family, but this was not followed through.
There were four lifeguards on duty that day but no-one was specifically monitoring the bubble lounger. Another holidaymaker spotted Chad and dragged him from the deep water - he was limp and his lips were blue. The holidaymaker shouted for help. Lifeguards then tried to resuscitate Chad and called for an ambulance.
Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said "the boy suffered catastrophic brain damage. The company breached its own safety policy by failing to have sufficient lifeguards on duty - no-one was supervising the deep end of the pool at that time...." He ordered the caravan park to pay £150,000 and £182,500 costs.
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