‘Too many families have had to endure the heartbreak’: Family of one-month-old boy who almost drowned in backyard swimming pool urge other parents to make their gardens safer
- The Burns family have warned other parents how to avoid it happening to them
- 18-month-old Cove Burns was pulled from his swimming pool on November 20
- He was placed into a coma for eight days and doctors said he has brain injuries
- But the full extent of the boy’s injuries will not be known until he fully wakes up
The family of toddler who suffered brain damage after nearly drowning in a pool has urged other parents to make their gardens safer.
Cove Burns, 18 months, was found unconscious in the backyard pool by his mother Amy on November 20 – who immediately started to perform CPR.
The youngster was flown by helicopter to RCH Melbourne Cove and placed into an induced coma.
18-month-old Cove Burns was found unconscious in the backyard pool by his mother Amy on November 20 – who immediately started to perform CPR
Cove started to breathe on his own again after eight days but his family say he has brain damage.
The extent of his brain injuries won’t be known until the young boy fully wakes up, and his aunt Emma Slee has now warned of the dangers of garden swimming pools.
‘Don’t leave anything leaning against pool fencing that will allow them to climb over,’ she said.
Eight days later Cove started to breathe on his own again, his family said, but doctors have told them he is brain damaged
The aunt said Cove was still ‘struggling a bit’ with the brain injury, according to Yahoo7.
The family’s plea comes after it was announced all Victorian homeowners will be forced to register their pools and spas with Victorian councils.
Planning minister Richard Wynne said: ‘Too many families have had to endure the heartbreak of losing a child in a drowning tragedy and it has to end.’
A GoFundMe page has now been set up for the boy’s parents by Ms Slee – to help pay for Cove’s medical bills – who have been by their son’s side since the accident two-and-a-half weeks ago.
The page reads: ‘Our little darling still has a long road ahead of him and since day dot mum & dad have been by his side leaving their other 3 babies behind in their grandparents care.
‘This means no work which means and no income – this is why we are setting this up; to help with medical and everyday living expenses so they can continue to be by Cove’s side until he can come home.’
A GoFundMe page has now been set up for the boy’s parents – to help pay for Cove’s (pictured) medical bills – who have been by their son’s side since the accident two-and-a-half weeks ago