Media Release
24 January 2002

Tragedy at community pool

A four year old boy from the Mangere community drowned at the Southern Campus pool yesterday afternoon. The circumstances behind the tragedy are not clear yet but the Council is assisting the Police with all their enquiries.

“There is no greater tragedy than a young life being cut short”, said City Manager Colin Dale, “our thoughts and prayers are with the family and community.”

“Safety is our first concern within our facilities and we will be investigating to ensure whatever steps can be taken to avert such a tragedy in the future will be taken”.

The pool is managed by the Manukau City Council over the summer months providing public access to the facility when the school is closed for the holidays. Trained lifeguards employed by the Council are always in attendance during its opening hours with all national standards for such a facility being met.

A ceremony will be held at the campus following the funeral to which the community is invited. It is not known at this stage whether the pool will reopen to the public prior to the start of the school year.

ENDS

Media Contact:
Gabrielle Hinton
Media Liaison Support Officer
Ph: 09 2628900 x 8650
Fax: 09 2625759
Email: ghinton@manukau.govt.nz

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