Two separate incidents in the Quebec swimming pool left one child dead and another in critical condition for just one day.
On Sunday afternoon, a five-year-old boy fell into the pool in the backyard of his home in Repentini, Que.
According to the local police (SPVR), the child was under water for about 20 minutes.
He is currently fighting for his life in hospital.
The water in the pool was “black and muddy”, according to SPVR spokesman Bruno Marier, which means the child is hard to find.
When first aid arrived, two neighbors were already in the water trying to find him.
The child was eventually retrieved by a police officer from the far end.
Police said Sunday night they were still waiting for news of his condition.
The day before, a four-year-old boy from St. Lambert, in Montreal, was found unconscious in the pool in the backyard of his family.
He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Longueuil police (SPAL) said the family’s pool was fenced off and it was not clear at this time how the child got inside.
“CAN HAPPEN IN 15-20 SECONDS”
As the pools begin to open for the summer, the Quebec Life Saving Society warns guardians to be especially vigilant, especially when it comes to young children.
Society director Reynold Hawkins says children should always be closely monitored while near water pools.
“It can happen to young children in 15 to 20 seconds, it’s quiet,” he said.
He said caregivers should keep their young children at arm’s length.
“It’s like crossing the street. You always want to hold children’s hands. It’s the same reality with the backyard pool.”
With files from Canadian Press and Touria Izri on CTV.
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