4-year-old boy in critical condition after drowning incident at hotel pool
A four-year-old boy is in a critical condition after nearly drowning in a hotel swimming pool in the south of Gran Canaria yesterday afternoon (Saturday).
What should have been a happy family holiday turned into a nightmare when the child was pulled from the water showing clear signs of drowning at a hotel in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
The rescue triggered a large-scale emergency response coordinated by the Emergency Services Coordination Centre (CECOES). The boy was initially taken by private ambulance to a nearby hospital in the tourist area. However, due to the seriousness of his condition, regional emergency services were immediately activated to organise an emergency transfer.
Given his age and the severity of his symptoms, the SUC coordinating nurse determined that ground transport was not sufficient. A medical helicopter, the fastest and most advanced resource available, was deployed to airlift him to specialist care in the capital, Las Palmas.
To facilitate the airlift, emergency managers arranged for the helicopter to land in the car park of a nearby school. A medicalised ambulance transported the child from the private hospital to the aircraft, where the onboard flight medical team took over his care.
Intensive Care in Las Palmas
During the flight to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the boy was continuously treated by a doctor and nurse specialising in critical paediatric care. His vital signs were closely monitored and advanced life support was maintained throughout the journey.
Meanwhile, staff at the Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil de Canarias were placed on pre-alert. Upon landing at the hospital’s helipad, the child was immediately transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit to begin specialist treatment.
Warning Over Pool Safety
Health and emergency authorities have once again stressed the importance of constant, direct supervision of young children in and around swimming pools.
Child drownings can occur in less than two minutes and in only a few centimetres of water, often silently, without splashing or cries for help.
At the time of publication, the boy remains in a serious condition. The next 24 to 48 hours are expected to be critical in determining his recovery.
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