Family vacation turns into tragedy as six-year-old boy drowns in hotel's swimming pool
The British boy, who was on a holiday in Paphos, Cyprus with his family, was 'found unresponsive in the hotel pool by strangers'
PAPHOS, CYPRUS: A six-year-old British boy drowned in a swimming pool during a family vacation to Cyprus.
The child was discovered floating unconscious in the pool at a hotel in the well-known resort town of Paphos.
Medical efforts go in vain
He was brought to a nearby hospital and placed on a ventilator, but his condition deteriorated. He was taken to Makarios Hospital in Nicosia for further treatment while still unconscious but died on October 6.
Child was 'found unresponsive in the hotel pool by strangers'
The Sun reports that according to the police, the deceased child had been on vacation with his mother and younger brother. A source said, "He was found unresponsive in the hotel pool by strangers on Friday. He was on holiday with his mum, who I believe has another child with her."
The source added, "He was resuscitated at the scene but he is fighting for life in hospital. He's very, very sick," as reported by Manchester Evening News.
Cyprus Police releases statement on tragedy
A statement from Cyprus Police initially said, “On October 6 and about 1.20 pm, police were informed that a six-year-old boy was found unconscious in a hotel's swimming pool in Paphos. The police investigations have shown that the boy escaped his mother's attention and fell in the swimming pool."
The statement added, “A duty lifeguard gave first aid and then the boy was transferred to Paphos General Hospital. Due to his health situation the boy was transferred at the Makarios Hospital in Nicosia, where he is being treated. His health condition is critical."
A spokesperson for the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said, "We are supporting the family of a British national in hospital in Cyprus," as reported by Mirror.
British man drowns in Portugal
A British man drowned earlier this month in Portugal after getting caught in strong currents.
Paul Calow, 41, got into trouble while swimming at the Sao Pedro de Moel beach near Nazare, north of Lisbon. When a surfer saw him being dragged further out to sea by the strong currents, he went to his aid, as reported by Daily Mail.
Despite efforts to revive him, Calow was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dale Calow, his brother, paid tribute to him, calling the 41-year-old his "best friend" and a "beautiful person" who was turning his life around after struggling with mental health issues.
Tourist drowned during vacation in Turkey
Another British tourist died last month while on a family vacation in Turkey after jumping into a lake to cool off.
The British national, 43, who was born in Pakistan, was on a scheduled tour of the Manavgat Dam in the province of Antalya when he dove into the water to cool off.
The British national stepped into the water from a pier platform connected to a riverside eatery. A short while later, he started to struggle and drowned.
