SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Boy Drowned – Alingsås Municipality Criticized

A boy drowned during a visit to a swimming pool in Alingsås last summer. At the time of the drowning, two lifeguards were present at the swimming pool, instead of the four intended. An external investigation is now directing criticism at Alingsås municipality.

» Updated: 21 August 2024, 18:52

» Published: 21 August 2024

Boy Drowned – Alingsås Municipality Criticized
Photo: Bertrand Guay/AP/TT

Together with his teammates in his football team, the British boy visited Nolhaga parkbad in Alingsås during the Gothia Cup football tournament in July this year.

After a while in the indoor pool, the group split up and the boy went to the deep swimming pool, where he somehow ended up underwater and drowned. It took several minutes before the boy was discovered by another visitor, but by then he was already dead.

Lifeguards on Break

In connection with the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Nolhaga parkbad reinforced its staffing. However, when the drowning occurred, two lifeguards out of five were on break, and a third was replacing the receptionist.

"This means that instead of, as intended, having four lifeguards in the pool area, there were only two present at the time of the accident. This may seem unfortunate, but it does not violate the existing routines that we have been made aware of," writes the company React Risk Advisory, which conducted the external investigation on behalf of the municipality.

Andreas Lybacken is the unit manager at Nolhaga Parkbad in the municipality, and according to him, it is up to the staff themselves to decide on breaks and positions.

This raises the question of whether it is possible to continue working in this way, or if we need to strengthen our staff or regulate the conditions more.

Second Drowning in Two Years

Last year, a drowning also occurred at Nolhaga parkbad, also during the Gothia Cup, when a boy from Nigeria died. After this incident, the municipality introduced, among other things, enhanced lighting in the large pool and regular competence-enhancing measures for the staff.

One must conclude that the measures taken after last year's accident were not sufficient, since a similar scenario has happened again, says Andreas Lybacken.

The external investigation has identified eight points that need to be addressed, one of which is to conduct a comprehensive risk analysis according to the Consumer Agency's guidelines for swimming facilities.

We now hope to be able to work out a risk analysis in a swift but measured pace, which will likely lead to updated safety routines, says Lybacken.

1. Conduct a comprehensive risk analysis according to the Consumer Agency's guidelines for swimming facilities.

2. Clarify for all employees what is included in the concept of Lifeguard.

3. The operational decision-making process on site needs to be clarified.

4. Investigate the possibility of installing surveillance cameras and other technical aids to facilitate monitoring of pool areas.

5. All incidents should be reported to improve operations.

6. The number of incident reports has decreased since the new digital system was introduced. It is essential that all incidents continue to be reported. Training and/or information are necessary.

7. Strengthen radio coverage in the basement and clarify the role of operational staff during serious events.

8. Employees are employed as wellness staff, review whether this is the correct personnel category going forward.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

Snow and strong winds – many households without power
2 MIN READ

Snow and strong winds – many households without power