Lifeguards blamed for pool injury

A man whose seven-year-old son suffered a "catastrophic brain injury" after he fell into a swimming pool, broke down in court as he blamed lifeguards.

Brian Mole, from Birmingham, was on holiday at Trecco Bay holiday park in Porthcawl, when he took his two sons to the pool, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Chad Mole was rescued from the pool by another holidaymaker.

Park owner Upper Bay Limited denies failing to ensure the boy was not exposed to risks to health and safety.

The family, from Halesowen, were on holiday at the park in October 2005 when Mr Mole took Chad and his younger son JJ, four, to the Splashland pool at the south Wales site.

Neither of the boys could swim, neither had buoyancy aids and there was a sign saying children under eight should be accompanied by an adult.

The prosecution claims the pool had inadequate lifeguard cover on the day of the incident.

"I saw someone carrying Chad out - he was blue - I was screaming"

Ian Pringle, prosecuting, has told the court that Chad wandered off while Mr Mole's attention was on his younger son.

He said Chad ended up in the bubble lounger area, a bubbly shelf around the edge of the deep end.

Mr Pringle has said it was another parent, Joseph Coffey, who noticed Chad below the surface of the water and scooped him out.

He said Chad was "saved, but he suffered a catastrophic brain injury as a result of his accident".

'Flume slide'

Giving evidence on Tuesday, Mr Mole told the court he had not seen any signs saying children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult.

He said he took the boys into the shallow end of the pool and was teaching JJ to use a float. Neither of the boys could swim or wore buoyancy aids.

After about six or seven minutes, he said, he realised Chad was not with them and got out of the pool shouting his son's name.

He said: "I saw someone carrying Chad out. He was blue. I was screaming."

He said he had thought they were "totally safe" in the shallow end and did not realise the deep end could be accessed under a bridge feature.

He said he had noticed two lifeguards watching the flume slide, but no others.

John Cooper, defending, asked Mr Mole if he blamed himself.

'Lifeguard'

Mr Mole replied: "I wouldn't say I was to blame sir. I would say the lifeguards should have done their job. They are there to watch over us.

"I feel remorseful now, I have nightmares. But I still feel they didn't do their job."

Asked by Mr Cooper if his wife Wendy had arrived at the pool and asked him 'What have you done to my child, my baby?', Mr Mole broke down and replied: "Yes sir."

Joseph Coffey, who rescued Chad, told the court when he first saw the boy he thought he was holding his breath under the water.

Mr Coffey said: "I noticed he rocked forward under the water and I immediately knew then something was wrong, so I just grabbed him and picked him up."

He said he called to a lifeguard who had been watching the flume steps and she came over to take the boy from him.

The case continues.

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Bridgend County Borough Council
Health and Safety Executive
South Wales Police
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