Boy dies after drowning in family swimming pool in Pimlico

A toddler has drowned to death during the construction of a backyard family pool.

Jake Rhodes died in hospital one day after he was found face down in an unfinished fibreglass pool in Pimlico, northern New South Wales on January 16, 2014.  

An inquest has been opened into the tragic death, to investigate why the unfinished pool was filled with water and why temporary fencing failed to save the child.

A temporary fence was constructed around the pool, but had an opening to allow the trade workers to come and go, The Herald reported. 

The opening was ultimately how 21-month-old Jake gained entry to the pool before he was found face down.

Pool builder Brian Bragg told the inquest the pool was partially filled with water by day three of the week-long construction.

He said it was necessary to partially fill a fibreglass pool during the construction period ‘to make sure the pool is stable’.

The investigation also considered whether it was feasible to construct a permanent child-proof fence during the construction phase.

The Narellan Pools Northern Rivers franchisee said it would be an ‘interference’ to build a permanent child-proof fence.

Jake Rhodes died in hospital one day after he was found face down in an unfinished fibreglass pool in Pimlico, northern New South Wales on January 16, 2014 (property pictured) 

‘It’s a great idea, I’d love to see something permanent, but I think logistically it’s impossible,’ he told the coroner.

‘The temporary fence does its job if it’s erected properly. It gives the ability to contractors to do their job without the interference.’

The inquest into Jake’s death continues.