1. School knew boy was not a strong swimmer before camp drowning
2. School knew boy was inexperienced swimmer before camp tragedy.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A devastating incident occurred on May 21, 2021, at Belfast Aquatics in Port Fairy, Victoria, when grade 2 student Cooper Onyett tragically drowned. The young boy was part of a trip organized by Merrivale Primary School in Warrnambool, which ended in a heartbreaking loss for his family and the community.
Failure to Communicate Swimming Abilities
Prior to the trip, the school had sent out permission slips and medical forms to parents, inquiring about their children’s swimming capabilities. Cooper’s mother had indicated that he was a beginner swimmer with little to no experience in shallow water. However, crucially, this information was not relayed to the pool staff before the excursion.
Upon arrival at the aquatic centre, the 28 grade 2 students were asked to indicate if they could swim. Those who claimed swimming ability were led to an inflatable obstacle course in the deep end of the pool. Unfortunately, many of these students were later identified as weak swimmers and had to be assisted back to the shallow end.
Tragic Oversight Leads to Loss
Cooper was among the children identified as weak swimmers and was seen venturing outside the designated shallow area on multiple occasions. Despite warnings to stay in the safe zone, he eventually found himself in distress and submerged underwater.
Efforts to resuscitate Cooper at the pool were unsuccessful, and the young boy tragically lost his life. The incident has raised serious concerns about the lack of communication regarding the children’s swimming abilities and the overall safety protocols in place during school outings.
Legal Ramifications and Accountability
The Victorian education department has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation in connection with Cooper’s death. The department admitted to failing to ensure that non-employees were not exposed to risks during school-organized activities.
The ongoing plea hearing has shed light on the necessity of providing essential information to activity providers for proper risk management. The Port Fairy Community Pool Management has also acknowledged breaching health and safety regulations and is awaiting sentencing on May 31.
Lessons Learned and Path Forward
As the plea hearing continues, it is evident that there were significant oversights in communication and coordination that contributed to this tragic incident. Moving forward, it is imperative for schools and activity providers to prioritize safety and ensure that all relevant information is shared to prevent such devastating events from reoccurring.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Cooper Onyett’s family and the Merrivale Primary School community during this difficult time. May this tragedy serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding the well-being of our children.
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Weak swimmer
Camp drowning.
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