Delta 1 send out a warning to parents of children swimming in quarries
“Most of our recoveries are of children who have been playing in quarries and ponds. This while the parents are at work or oblivious to their children’s whereabouts,” said Lee.
Delta 1 Rescue Diving is urging parents to educate their children on the dangers of playing or swimming in quarries, ponds or dams.
This comes after an incident, when a swim in a quarry led to the death and the recovery of a 15-year-old boy in eMzinoni on Sunday, March 20.
The boy went for a swim with friends in the quarry and drowned on Saturday, March 19. His drowning was reported late that afternoon.
Delta 1 was alerted of the boys drowning later that evening.
Due to circumstances around the scene such as visibility and safety aspects for the divers, the recovery could only be made the Sunday.
Delta 1 recovered the body of the boy.
Delta 1 was assisted on the scene by the Mpumalanga Inland Water Police, Lydenburg K9 Search and Rescue unit, eMzinoni Police and ER24 ambulance services. See Ridge Times Facebook Page dated March 20 for the story.
Founder and CEO of Delta 1 Rescue Diving, Andries Lee, said that it is important for parents to know of their children’s whereabouts and to educate them on the dangers of playing or swimming in these areas.
“Even after parents tell children not to go swimming at these places, the children will still go and most of the time it is without supervision. This is when accidents happen.
“In most cases drown victims are caught in currents or get stuck in rocks or water plants,” said Lee.
He said that many drownings occur during school holidays when parents leave children alone at home.
“Most of our recoveries are of children who have been playing in quarries and ponds. This while the parents are at work or oblivious to their children’s whereabouts,” said Lee.
He urges parents to be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times. To appoint a responsible adult to continuously supervise and closely monitor their children when they do swim in the water, whether it be in a swimming pool, quarries, dam or even low-level stream.
Poor visibility or lighting dampers the rescues or most cases the recovery process. It is important to get help as soon as possible and alert emergency services.
