A two-year-old girl has died after drowning in a pool at her home in Pretoria East.

According to Casper Visser, the spokesperson for the Volunteer Emergency Medical Response Unit (VEMRU), the little girl fell into the pool at her Constantia Park home.

Visser said VEMRU responded to a drowning incident yesterday morning just after 10:00.

“Our team, along with multiple services, responded to the call of an infant that fell into a pool and drowned.”

He said the parents rushed the two-year-old child to a nearby clinic, which was closed and they then opted to take her to a local pharmacy looking for help.

“Despite CPR and multiple advanced life support interventions, the girl unfortunately passed away,” Visser said.

He added the scene was handed over to police for further investigation.

“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends during these terrible times.”

He thanked the pharmacy staff for their help in attempting to save the girl, adding: “We are grateful to the pharmacy staff for immediately starting with CPR and requesting help.

“We are also grateful to Emer-G-Med, Netcare911, ER24, Pro-Med Ambulance Services, and Gauteng Emergency Medical Services for a quick response and for giving it your best.”

He offered some safety tips when it comes to pools:

• Make sure the pool is not easily accessible and that there is a locked gate and fence around the swimming area.
• Always know where your children are when there is a pool around.
• Learn how to do CPR, because early CPR saves lives.