Teen drowns at YMCA pool
A 19-year-old boy, who was learning to swim at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) pool in Agripada, drowned on Friday.
A 19-year-old boy, who was learning to swim at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) pool in Agripada, drowned on Friday.
While police have registered a case of “causing death by negligence” against the management of YMCA, a board at the pool states that the authorities have shut the pool till Tuesday, citing unavoidable circumstances.
Abdul Sayyed (19), a resident of Byculla, had appeared for SSC exam this year. A student of Anjuman Allana School near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Sayyed had been learning swimming for the past one month.
On Friday, Sayyed went swimming with his neighbour’s son and the police suspect he might have drifted to the deep end. The pool was crowded and Sayyed screams for help might have got unheard. A woman spotted the body and raised an alarm. Sayyed was rushed Nair Hospital but was declared dead before admission. “There was no coach or lifeguard at the pool,” said Sayyed’s father Kadir Rehmaan (46). “He might have been saved if the YMCA had employed someone to keep a watch on the swimmers,” said Kadir, who has a shop selling shoes and bags at Byculla.
Pravin Gosavi, senior police inspector, said they have registered a case under Section 304 of IPC (death due to negligence) against the management.
Police suspect that the boy’s medical condition might have led to his death. “The boy’s father told doctors at the Nair Hospital that his son was diabetic. The autopsy report said the victim died due to drowning and asphyxia. His fluctuating sugar levels may have caused him to faint or made him weak,” said an officer from Agripada.
“We have asked for the attendance register of the staff on duty on Friday evening. About three instructors and parents of another child had rushed the victim to the hospital. Those parents have to be traced for their statements,” said Gosavi. Despite several attempts, no one from the YMCA s available for comment.