LOCAL NEWS

Officials warn about child water safety after fatal drowning

Jun 4, 2018, 6:13 PM | Updated: Jun 5, 2018, 6:03 pm

RIVERTON, Utah – One toddler has passed away and another nearly drowned in separate incidents in swimming pools in Salt Lake County.

Officials from the Unified Police Department said a 3-year-old girl from Riverton who had been on life support since being found unconscious died from her injuries Monday.

A 3-year-old in West Jordan was rescued Saturday, and was later released from the hospital.

“The first things that go through your mind are hard to describe,” said Detective Shane Laycock, with the Unified Police Department.

He was the first on scene when the family in Riverton found their toddler floating in their neighbor’s above-ground pool. An adult sister had already started CPR.

“I took over instantly and began doing chest compressions,” he said.

The girl was taken to Riverton Hospital, then flown to Primary Children’s Hospital, where she passed away Monday afternoon.

“Water safety should be on the forefront of every parent’s mind this time of year,” said Det. Laycock, pointing out that pools and beaches are getting crowded as the temperatures warm up.

According to state statistics, accidental drowning is the third-leading cause of death among children in Utah. More than half of those deaths are among kids ages 0 to 4.

When you’re around water, a pool or a lake, Det. Laycock said keep an eye on young children. Don’t let them wander away, especially at pools without lifeguards.

At SwimKids in Holladay, Julia McGee put her 1-year-old son, Zachary, in swim lessons. She said she knew of a mother who lost a 19-month-old to drowning, and prioritized swim lessons for her kids.

“He loves it,” she said of her son.

McGee said it gives her peace of mind to see him learning to float and relax in the water. He was kicking and smiling, and learning the basics of holding his breath and keeping his head above water.

“I’ve also seen them mimic him falling into the pool and flipping him over to his back so that he does get used to that sensation if he does fall in,” said McGee.

Officials said if you’re not watching the children near a pool, make sure another adult is.

“You don’t hear a child drowning because they’re underwater,” said Liz Walker.

Walker started SwimKids 35 years ago when she had her first child. She had nearly drowned as a 7-year-old, and wanted her kids to be confident around water.

“I knew that young children could learn to swim at a young age,” she said. “There wasn’t really a program available for her.”

At Swimkids in Utah they start kids as early as four months, an age when the child can gain confidence in the water.

Within a few lessons, children gain confidence to swim across the pool, and roll over on their backs and breathe while keeping their heads out of water.

“To the point where they are individually safe. If they fell in, they could roll over on their back and breathe,“ said Walker.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Youth hockey players at the Acord Ice Center....

Andrew Adams

Program coordinator says youth hockey will grow due to NHL move to Utah

Youth hockey players were excited after the announcement that the NHL would be coming to Utah on Thursday.

9 hours ago

Matt Gephardt looking over the CarShield documents for Scott Dumas....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

West Haven man says extended auto warranty refuses to cover costly engine repair

Many drivers buy an extended auto warranty to help keep their car on the road, but when the extended warranty a West Haven man bought refused to cover replacing an engine, he decided to Get Gephardt.

9 hours ago

Video showing Viviana being hit by the car....

Garna Mejia

Millcreek family searches for person who hit them on crosswalk and drove away

Unified Police are looking for the suspect in a hit-and-run accident that left two children injured earlier this month.

10 hours ago

Northbound blue line TRAX train involved...

Carlysle Price

South Salt Lake man pronounced dead after TRAX incident

A man was transported in critical condition Thursday night after he was struck by a Northbound TRAX train as it left the Millcreek station. 

10 hours ago

The large quantity of methamphetamine, cash, a gun, and two knives found on the suspect....

Michael Houck

Traffic stop leads to arrest of man in possession of methamphetamine, police say

A man who was arrested for drug charges on Wednesday was also arrested on similar charges in February, according to court documents. 

11 hours ago

Unfounded allegations of students at Mt. Nebo Junior High School dressing up like animals and bitin...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

No evidence of ‘furries’ in Nebo School District despite allegations, social media firestorm

Unfounded allegations of students at Mt. Nebo Junior High School dressing up like animals and biting, barking, and pouncing on fellow students created a social media firestorm on Wednesday.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Officials warn about child water safety after fatal drowning