The mother of a little girl who drowned in a crowded public swimming pool has issued a heartbreaking plea urging parents to teach their children to swim as early as possible.
Four-year-old Mia Harrison was found motionless at the bottom of a pool at the Orange Aquatic Centre on Saturday afternoon, police say.
The girl’s mother Mekaela Harrison posted a public Facebook status on Monday advising her her friends of the sad news.
‘For those who don’t know yet, who haven’t seen the papers or news stories. On Saturday my sweet baby girl Mia rose passed away after a tragic accident at our local swimming pool,’ Ms Harrison wrote.
Four-year-old Mia Harrison (above) was found motionless at the bottom of a pool on Saturday
The girl’s mother Mekaela Harrison posted a public Facebook status on Monday advising her her friends of the sad news
‘Please respect the fact that my family is still grieving and if you have any questions ask me personally. Fly high baby you were so loved and will be so sorely missed.’
The pool remains closed on Monday with a possibility of it reopening on Tuesday, an Orange Aquatic Centre spokesperson said.
The young girl reportedly drowned ‘in a matter of seconds’, despite being surrounded by friends and family.
After frantic attempts by family and lifeguards to revive the girl she was taken to hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Ms Harrison has urged parents to teach children to swim, saying her daughter wasn’t able to swim.
‘So please, if anything can come out of this tragedy, please, parents, teach your children to swim as soon as possible’, Ms Harrison told the Daily Telegraph.
Mia’s mother has issued a heartbreaking plea urging parents to teach their children to swim as early as possible
‘So please, if anything can come out of this tragedy, please, parents, teach your children to swim as soon as possible’, Ms Harrison (left) said
‘I’m aware a lot of people have said the lifeguards are to blame but that is not the case at all, I can’t thank them enough.’
Royal Life Saving NSW CEO Michael Ilinksy said children could be formally taught to swim from four years of age, but an early familiarisation with water was essential for their learning.
‘Those early years way back when they are babies you can start with familiarisation in a bath, simple games, water splashing,’ Mr Ilinksy told ABC radio on Monday.
‘A little bit of a dribble of water down their face, that’s the start of their aquatic education.’
Ms Harrison has also started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Mia’s funeral.
‘My worst nightmare had come to life my baby girl drowned, the life guards, the paramedic and the hospital staff went above and beyond to try and revive her but no matter how hard she fought and they tried it was just her time to leave me,’ Ms Harrison wrote in a post on the page.
Her friends offered their condolences and paid tribute on social media.
‘R.I.P baby girl… you grew your wings far too soon,’ said one on Facebook.
Another added: ‘We all love you Mia, we miss you terribly especially Thomas, You will be in our hearts forever and always.’
Four-year-old Mia reportedly drowned in ‘a matter of seconds’ at the Orange Aquatic Centre (above, file photo)
And a family member took to Facebook to defend Ms Harrison and ask the public for time to grieve properly.
‘There were five adults and four children (and a) baby in the pool … she was very looked after and the pool was overcrowded so please, before you judge the parents, think about how the parents are feeling right now,’ she wrote.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd acknowledged the family’s suffering and said the town needed to band together to offer support.
‘Nothing we can say today can ease the pain the family is going through, other than to say that they are not alone,’ he said in a statement.
Police from Canobolas Local Area Command have begun an investigation into the incident and are speaking to witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage.
A report will be prepared for the coroner as investigations continue.