Cooper Onyett : “School Boy Weak Swimmer Camp Tragedy”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. School swimming assessment
2. Child swim safety evaluation

Grade 2 student Cooper Onyett tragically drowned on May 21, 2021, during a school trip to Belfast Aquatics in Victoria’s southwest. Despite his mother indicating his limited swimming experience, the school failed to communicate this information to the pool. Cooper, along with other weak swimmers, was allowed into the deep end, leading to the fatal incident. The education department pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations, acknowledging their failure to communicate crucial information. The court is set to sentence both the department and the pool management soon. This heartbreaking event highlights the importance of proper communication and safety measures in school activities.

Tragedy Strikes as Grade 2 Student Drowns at Belfast Aquatics in Port Fairy

On May 21, 2021, a devastating incident occurred at Belfast Aquatics in Port Fairy, Victoria’s southwest, when Grade 2 student Cooper Onyett tragically drowned. The young boy was on a trip organised by Merrivale Primary School in Warrnambool, which ended in a heartbreaking turn of events.

Lack of Communication Leads to Fatal Consequences

Prior to the trip, the school sent out permission slips and medical forms to parents, inquiring about their children’s swimming abilities. Cooper’s mother indicated that he was a beginner swimmer with little to no experience in shallow water. However, the school failed to relay this crucial information to the pool before the excursion.

When the 28 young students arrived at Belfast Aquatics, they were asked to raise their hands if they could swim. Despite children identifying themselves as weak swimmers, they were still led to an inflatable obstacle course in the pool’s deep end. Many were later assisted to the shallow end after it became apparent that they were not strong swimmers.

Tragic Sequence of Events

Cooper, among the children identified as weak swimmers, was seen venturing outside the shallow area multiple times, including jumping into the deep end and onto the inflatable obstacle course. Despite being told to return to safety, the young boy found himself in distress underwater.

A concerned swimmer, who was at the pool with her daughter, initially believed Cooper was holding his breath. However, after a brief moment, she realised something was amiss. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Cooper tragically passed away at the pool.

Legal Ramifications and Accountability

The education department in Victoria has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation surrounding Cooper’s untimely death. It was acknowledged that the failure to communicate the children’s swimming abilities to Belfast Aquatics could have potentially prevented the tragedy.

During the plea hearing, questions arose about why the school collected information on the students’ swimming abilities without sharing it with the pool. The department has since made it mandatory for schools to disclose this information to facilities before excursions.

Justice and Closure

Port Fairy Community Pool Management has also admitted to breaching health and safety regulations in connection to the incident. The upcoming sentencing on May 31 will hopefully provide some form of closure and justice for Cooper’s family and the community.

In conclusion, the heartbreaking loss of Cooper Onyett serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication and safety measures in school excursions. May his memory be a catalyst for change and a commitment to ensuring the well-being of all students in similar situations.