4-year-old boy drowns in Iloilo swimming pool; no lifeguard around

A birthday party ended in tragedy in Iloilo after a four-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool in a residential subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo last Sunday, GMA Iloilo reported on Tuesday.

 

Joshua Xander Ferrer's father, Philip, said his son disappeared during the party.

 

"Diyan lang naman siya naglalaro. Pinabihisan lang namin ang maliit naming na anak nang hindi ko na siya nakita sa harap namin. Nang hinanap ko siya sa paligid-ligid, hindi ko siya nasilayan," he said

 

Philip said he looked for Joshua Xander among the guests, then decided to look for him at the deeper end of the pool. "Pumasok sa isip ko na baka nasa tubig siya."

 

The father did find his son's body underwater and he rushed to bring him up to the surface. He said there was no lifeguard to give first aid to the boy. 

 

"Agad ko siyang binuhat pa akyat. Humingi ako ng tulong at sumisigaw pa ako na 'lifeguard, lifeguard' ngunit wala talagang tumulong sa amin sa katagalan. Ma-survive pa sana ng anak ko kung may lifeguard silang assigned sa pool," Philip said.

 

The subdivision's security guard reportedly could not immediately hail for an ambulance.

 

Local Pavia police are investigating the incident.

 

The subdivision's developers issued a statement expressing sorrow over what happened and reminded parents to keep watch over their children especially near the pool. The management also said it will extend assistance to the family. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News