Council fined over pool death

The family of a 16-year-old boy who drowned in a swimming pool have blamed Scarborough Council for his death.

John Rudderham, of Hull, died after suffering an epileptic fit in the water at the Atlantis Water Park in the resort in June 2000.

Magistrates at the North Yorkshire town fined the council £12,000 for failing to provide adequate training for the lifeguard on duty.

Lifeguard Jason Prosser was fined £500 for failing to ensure the boy's safety.

Emergency situation

The youngster's father told BBC Look North: "If they'd have reacted when the girls noticed him underwater and tried to get attention, if they'd have listened straight away and got him out of the water, at that point he could have still been here."

Paul Robinson of the Health and Safety Executive said after the court case: "The court has recognised that those involved in operating, and working at, the swimming pool are required to maintain high standards at all times and act quickly in any potential emergency situation.

"The margin of safety is only a matter of a few minutes before a person underwater can die."

Steve Hollingworth, head of leisure at Scarborough Council said: "It was an isolated incident. We have a good record, since the incident we've had over 40,000 satisfied visitors for the last three years.

"Therefore we will continue to improve safety wherever possible to ensure this doesn't happen again."