Security guard told boy thrice not to enter pool

Seven-year-old Vyom Sah had been warned three times by a security guard against entering the swimming pool without a guardian or an instructor, the Oshiwara police said.

Seven-year-old Vyom Sah had been warned three times by a security guard against entering the swimming pool without a guardian or an instructor, the Oshiwara police said.

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Vyom, a Class 3 student from Baroda, drowned in a pool at Indra Darshan (phase 2) housing society on New Link Road, Andheri (West), on Saturday.

According to Pinkal Sah, Vyom’s father, the boy had been waiting to get into the pool as their society back home did not have one. “This was Vyom’s first visit to Mumbai and he was very excited. He found the city very adventurous and was keen to discover it further,” Sah told the police.

Dilip Rupawate, senior inspector, Oshiwara police station, said, “Vyom had seen other children playing in the pool on Saturday morning. He wanted to go in, but was not allowed as he did not have swimming trunks.”

Sah, who lost his only child in the accident, told the police that the boy did not inform the family before he left the house. “I last saw him at 11.30am when he was having breakfast. Because there was a wedding in the house, we did not notice when he slipped out of the apartment and went to the swimming pool,” he said.

The family performed the last rites of the boy on Saturday evening and left for their home on the same day.

A civic official said they only gave permission for a swimming pool on private property and it was the society’s duty to operate and maintain it.

The management of the society refused to comment on the issue.