Boy dies after nearly drowning

22 May 2007

ANDERLECHT – The 7-year-old boy pulled from a pond in the Astrid park in Anderlecht died on Monday at the Queen Fabiola University Children’s Hospital.

The boy had been fighting for his life since Sunday after almost drowning in the pond. He was on the bottom of the pond for 40 minutes before divers pulled him out. The boy was in a coma and was put on a respirator in the children’s hospital.

The boy had apparently been trying to retrieve his skateboard which had fallen in the pond. Three friends advised him not to go into the water. When they saw he was struggling they went in after him to try and help.

The three other boys were pulled from the water by a 21-year-old woman. Other park visitors called the emergency services. The children’s parents were not around at the time of the incident.

Subject: Belgian news