A warning issued as video shows adults swimming past a drowning boy, 4, sinking to the bottom of the pool – would you see him?
PARENTS have been urged to keep a close eye on their children by the pool after a young boy nearly drowned in front of dozens of people.
The four-year-old had to wait underwater for almost three minutes when unsuspecting adults swam past him at Thailand’s water park.
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He was playing in the crowded pool at Nakhon Water Park & Resort in Roi Et province on April 6 when he ran into trouble.
Terrifying footage showed the boy, known only by his nickname Captain, dove in before his near-death experience unfolded.
The boy excitedly runs towards the water, which was already filled with numerous adults and other children, before jumping in without hesitation.
But his innocent dive soon turned deadly as the captain is seen visibly distraught as he struggled to keep his head above water.
The four-year-old desperately waves his arms to get to the surface, but his attempts to save himself prove futile.
Though Captain was clearly struggling to stay afloat, his ordeal went unnoticed by unsuspecting swimmers.
Several adults swim right next to the boy, but they barely bat an eye as he sinks to the bottom.
Other tourists continue paddling aimlessly in the pool while Captain slowly sinks below the surface in the horrific clip.
After an agonizing 170 seconds of struggle, a man finally realized the little boy was drowning and dove into the water to save him.
He quickly pulled the captain’s limp body into the air as other bystanders began to realize the seriousness of the situation.
The boy was given first aid at the scene before being taken to Atsamat Hospital.
He was later transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at Roi Et Hospital, where he remains for further treatment.
His mother Suparada Wattana, 21, said she was looking after her eight-month-old baby when her eldest son slipped into the water.
She said: “I admit I was careless but there were also no lifeguards stationed at the pool.
“The water park should also take responsibility. I am very grateful to the man who noticed him and saved his life.
“Without this man, my son would be dead.”
Nakhon Water Park & Resort owner Chantana Champanuan later visited Captain in the hospital after the incident.
She reportedly agreed to accept responsibility for the ordeal after saying the lifeguards on duty were all on the loo.
Champanuan said, “We have a total of four lifeguards at the park, but unfortunately they were in the restrooms when the incident happened.”
The incident is a reminder to parents of pool safety after a string of tragic incidents.
Concerns have already been raised about children wearing blue swimwear after a shocking image showed the color blending into the water.
It shows how a youngster seemed to disappear into the depths due to the similarities between the shades.
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