Maldon

Maldon see also Maldon Investigation Page

10.10.08 Recordings of Emergency Calls Removed From Web from Suffolk and Essex Online By James Hore http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=IPED09%20Oct%202008%2023%3A37%3A14%3A613

HEARTBREAKING tape recordings of frantic phone 999 calls made in the moments after a young girl was found in the deep end of a swimming pool have been released. The calls were made from Blackwater Leisure Centre, Maldon, after seven-year-old Michelle Gellard was pulled from the water and reveal confusion surrounding the tragic events in June...

The East of England Ambulance Service agreed to hand over the recordings of the 999 calls to Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, who are acting for Michelle's parents, Mark Gellard and Sian Lakey. The couple, from the Isle of Dogs, London, have instructed lawyers over the fatal incident at the pool, run by Leisure Connection, claiming “incomplete and inaccurate” information was given about their daughter's condition.

At one point in the first 999 call, heard by the EADT, the operator was informed the youngster had been choking before being told she was “okay” and “conscious”. The woman making the call states: “I have just been told by someone who has seen her that she is okay now.”

The operator explains the ambulance is still on its way and to make sure that the youngster does not eat or drink anything. However in a second recording the tone is more frantic because Michelle was not breathing. Staff from St John's Ambulance help her and the operator is told “she is not breathing”.

“She has not been conscious since we have been here…She is out of the water, she is not breathing - she has had CPR since she came out of the water,” the operator is told. The tapes also state there was no defibrillator available.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident. Last night Leisure Connection issued a statement which read: “This matter is being dealt with by our legal advisers. We are not making any further comment whilst the investigation into this tragic incident takes place.”

Hodge Jones & Allen declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said: “The firm acting for the family contacted the East of England Ambulance Service to ask for a copy of the call, which was given to them to be used in confidence. The ambulance service's solicitor subsequently contacted the firm to request it amend the website to remove the tape, which has been done. The investigation into Michelle's death is ongoing, and so it would be inappropriate to comment further on the call itself.” ...

The tapes referred to in the item immediately below have been removed from the solicitors' website. However, a summary of their content still appears under 9.9.08 and in the lawyer's August press release http://www.hodge-jones-allen.co.uk/FileServer.aspx?oID=387&lID=0. PB

9.9.08 Solicitors Make Recordings of Emergency Calls Available Online

Hodge, Jones & Allan, representing the Gellard Family, have made copies of two calls made from Blackwater Leisure Centre to 999 in connection with the drowning in June of Michelle Gellard. The distressing recordings can be heard via their News page http://www.hodge-jones-allen.co.uk/Default.aspx?sID=45&lID=0 They are not for the faint hearted.

The legal firm's press release, available from the same page, includes the following "Background Briefing".

Michelle Gellard drowned at Blackwater Leisure Centre on 14 June 2008. Michelle was found unconscious at the deep end of the pool by a member of the public. The family contends that:

Lifeguards failed to notice Michelle get into difficulty at the deep end of the pool.
Inaccurate information given by leisure centre staff to the emergency services caused the urgency of the response to be substantially downgraded, resulted in a significant delay (currently unknown but estimated at between 15 and 30 minutes).

Two calls were made to emergency services.

First call: A member of staff from the leisure centre reports an “unconscious child” who is choking. They do not say she has been found under water or that it is a drowning incident. The caller then says that they have been told that the child is “ok” and is now “conscious”. The ambulance service says an ambulance is on the way, but downgrades the response as a result of the information.
Second call: The caller wants to know why no ambulance has attended and makes clear that Michelle has been rescued from the swimming pool but that she is not breathing or conscious. There is a discussion about the fact that no defibrillator is available and no-one qualified to resuscitate young children is available.

A spokesman for Leisure Connection Ltd told the Maldon & Burnham Standard - “The family’s claim has been received and has been passed to our lawyers. We have no further comments to make at this stage”.

Parents of a little girl who died after being found unconscious in a public swimming pool are to sue the company
28.8.08 The London Paper

http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/news/article/1157154838352?packedargs=aid%3D1157154838352%26suffix%3DArticleController

The parents of a seven-year-old girl from east London who died after being found unconscious in a public swimming pool said today they were suing the company that runs it. Michelle Gellard, from the Isle of Dogs, was found by a member of the public in the deep end of the pool at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon, Essex in June. Her parents said lifeguards had failed to notice she was in difficulties. They also claimed that when leisure centre staff called the emergency services they failed to make the operator aware of the seriousness of Michelle's condition delaying the ambulance's arrival. The pool is run by Leisure Connection Limited for Maldon District Council.

Father Mark Gellard said: "My wife Sian and I are devastated that our beautiful daughter Michelle died as a result of this incident. We want to know why the lifeguards at the pool appear not to have noticed that Michelle was drowning, despite the fact the pool was not busy at the time. We also want to know why the staff at the leisure centre failed to report in the first emergency call that it was a drowning incident and said Michelle was 'OK' and 'conscious', when in fact she required emergency resuscitation. As a result emergency medical help was delayed which may have lost the chance to save her life. It is essential that lessons are learned so this does not happen to anyone else."

Michelle's parents are also calling for the Health and Safety Executive to widen their investigation. The council's role in the tragedy is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive but the council has been charged with looking at the leisure centre.

Peter Todd, a partner at Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, representing Michelle's parents, said: "Michelle's parents want a full and independent investigation into this incident carried out. We have asked the HSE to review their decision only to investigate the involvement of the council. We would like them also to investigate the involvement of Leisure Connection Limited. There are questions to ask about the lifeguarding and handling of the emergency response. How can Maldon District Council conduct a proper investigation if it also may have contributed to what has happened here? If on review the decision is not changed, we reserve the right to challenge the decision by seeking judicial review if necessary."

A spokesman for the HSE said that the council retained the legal responsibility for the enforcement of health and safety legislation despite having contracted out the operation of the centre. He said: "The roles are pretty clearly set out in the legislation."

An inquest into the girl's death will be held after the HSE investigation is completed.

Father Claims First Ambulance Was Cancelled
From Total Essex http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/did-little-girl-die/article-190130-detail/article.html

The father of Michelle Gellard responding to speculation on Total Essex that his daughter was alone.

one my daughter was not alone someone was looking after her by an adult my daughter was in the shallow end of the pool how the hell did she get to the deep end without lifeguards seeing her and why did the first ambulance get canceled by someone because they said she was breathing .I have lost the precious thing in my life my daughter she was cheeky and made people happy we loved her dearly we would never have let her go swimming if we knew this would happen to her we will always love our princess. she was a clever and confident child she was unique and she can never be replace so please don't say she was alone because she wasn't i loved my little girl so much she was happy on the day and i will remember her being happy

mark gellard, london commented on 18-Jun-2008 22:34

The Total Essex article that prompted the speculation now concludes, "The company said Michelle was attending the “Fun for All” public swim session on Saturday, accompanied by a family member. The spokesman said there was an adequate number of lifeguards on duty." PB

Claims About Pool Not Being Busy and Discovery Made By Young Swimmer Further Comments on Lifeguarding

What's Happening to Drowning Enquiry?

Some Comments from Locals and Others Following the Drowning Tragedy
From Total Essex http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/news/Girl-7-dies-Maldon-swimming-pool-accident-UPDATED/article-190130-detail/article.html

A terrible tragedy like this deserves a full enquiry before any conclusions are drawn. However, some of the concerns expressed about lifeguarding match my own experiences and written complaints to LC and Brent and Harrow Councils. As do the comments about failure to clean properly. PB

My sympathies to the family of this little girl and in coping with their tragic loss. I agree it seems poor that a volunteer adminstered the life saving attempt and not a properly trained lifeguard but I assume the best possible treatment was given. Unrealated, I too have complained about this pool for being freezing cold and for the filthiness of the changing area and lack of warm showers. I think its classic case of councils losing control over facilitiies as they hive them off to private firms who take the profits and take shortcuts with heating, cleanliness etc. The lagoon section has been closed off for years, I wonder if that's because they didn't want the expense of providing guards to monitor it?

Scott, Chelmsford commented on 16-Jun-2008 22:27

Before I moved from Maldon, (6 months ago) I used Blackwater pool frequently, not out of choice but it was my nearest pool. I and several family members have complained on countless occasions about the cleanliness (or lack of it), We have also brought to the centres attention how the lifeguards spend their shift with their heads in a locker texting people or messing about, gossiping etc among themselves. Maybe they are just to young to see what a responsible job being a lifeguard is and the terrible price someone has to pay when your mind is not fully on the job, a member of the public should never have had to pull out this little girl or a St Johns cadets administer mouth to mouth. The lifeguards should be on the ball and fully trained to deal with this.
Why is there no mention of the lifeguards playing any part in this tragic accident? This should be investigated.

Emma, Kent commented on 16-Jun-2008 20:17

This is not the first incident like this to happen at Blackwater. My sister pulled someone unconcious from the water seven or eight years even though there were life guards on duty at the time. Michelle, Essex commented on 16-Jun-2008 13:33 (This may have been before LC won the contract. PB)

As an ex lifeguard who spent many years around pools I do wonder what the lifeguards were doing on this sad afternoon. My experience at many pools nowadays is such that I will not leave my grandchildren out of my sight at all when going swimming, I feel no confidence in the lifeguards at all these days. My own thoughts are that many of the young people that take on the lifeguard responsibility do not have the life experience to deal with such circumstances. They seem to think it will never happen on their shift. At most of the pools I have visited over the last few years the poolside staff spend a lot of time talking, walking away from the pools and looking half asleep. I would also like to know why the Ambulance staff had to resuscitate this little girl, why did the lifeguards not start to do so immediately. Bearing in mind that she should never have ended up in such a position in the first place. My thoughts and sympathies are with the parents of this little girl. Anon, Essex commented on 17-Jun-2008 12:43

having worked at the leisure centre for a number of years, but not now,i know that the parents are asked by reception what the the age thier child is and told that children under 8 must have an adult with them in the water. please do not put blame on the lifegaurds until the facts are known, it is not necessarily their fault and with the comments about the cleanliness of the pool, what has this got to do with the incident, it is a totally different matter.

anon, west haddon,northants commented on 17-Jun-2008 20:24

I believe the cleanliness point has been brought up and is recurring in these comments to demonstrate the lack of care, willing staff / managers and funds in leisure conection run centre. The above is VERY relevant when we are talking about such a poorly run and staffed company, that can have such terrible, although not always anticipated, consequences. Emma, Kentcommented on 17-Jun-2008 21:32

Pool Not Busy? Young Swimmer First To MakeTerrible Discovery?

I was at the pool with my grandson when this awful incident happened. There were people giving immediate resuss prior to the St Johns people appearing. I cannot understand how she was not spotted sooner as the pool was relatively empty that day and the deep end very quiet, therefore the guards should have had a good view of anyone in that area. I personally feel the guards at the pool are very young to have such a responsibility. I also have concerns about the bubble/jacuzzi area as this is only seperated from very deep water by a floating line of buoys. Easy for a child to slip in from the bubble pool to deep water. I take my grandson regularly and he never leaves my sight not even in the changing room when he is impatient to get to the pool. My other concern was the lengthy wait for the ambulance, over 15 minutes. It upset both of us terribly and he asked constantly if the little girl was going to be alright. My heartfelt condolences to the parents. Its heartbreaking Val, Tillingham commented on 19-Jun-2008 14:25

My sympathy's go out to Michelles family. It was my daughter who alerted the lifeguards and she is going through a bad time too. It will take a long time to get over such an awful tradegy. Sharon Ratcliffe, Maldon, Essex commented on 18-Jun-2008 19:57

Further Comments on Lifeguards

i was there that day i was on the mat doing judo and so was michelle she just finished and went swimming after and she was not alone there was a few ppl and adults that was with her there wa sseveral events going on that day so they should of had more lifegards on duty and not standing around tlking

james strong, isle of dogs commented on 20-Jun-2008 12:00

Firstly,Our deepiest sympahties must go to the Parents and Relatives of the little girl.We as a family use the pool too! And yes, we too have complained about the cleanliness and the lifeguards? May i just say that it's the Mangements fault entirely for not monitoring the staff? They are young and therefore need supervision themselves. This Complex needs a total refurb; and not just the pool??? sue, chelmsford commented on 19-Jun-2008 20:24

My sincere sympathy to this angel's family. I took my two young children to this leisure centre a few weeks ago. I was astounded by the lack of supervision. The lifeguards are NOT doing their job properly, one spent the entire session chatting to two teenage girls. Maldon Council have to take some responsibility, as a council run facility they are failing to ensure the safety of patrons. It's just a pity it's taken a child's tragic death to highlight the inadequacies in Blackwater Leisure Centre. Rest in Peace little Angel.x. Annie, Latchingdon commented on 21-Jun-2008 07:13

My Sympathies go out to the family for the loss of their precious girl, As someone who worked there a long time age, people must stop blaming the lifeguards until they know all the facts, And the people to blame for the state off the facility, are in fact the council not leisure connection, as the only rent it, and have tried to get the place revamped for years!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANON, ESSEX commented on 23-Jun-2008 17:22

What's Happening to Drowning Enquiry?

I feel very strongly about this tragic incident, several hours before this little girl drowned, I watched the 'lifeguards' for over 15 minutes not paying any attention to the pool. If the lifeguards were more responsible and managed properly then would this have happened?......we shall never know.

On the Monday afterwards I started my own enquiries into who and what course the investigation was to be taken. It had been passed quickly by the police to the Health and Safety Executive, however on speaking with the Health and Safety Executive they had passed this on to Maldon Council and were not investigating.....quite opposite to what the local papers were stating.

In fact initially the only department acting from Maldon Council was the press office, I was not convinced they were investigating adequately, since then I have had contact assuring me a proper investigation will be taking place. I am not convinced and shall not rest until I am satisfied.

My sympathy to the family. Jamie Campbell, Maldon commented on 25-Jun-2008 22:10

Please note, while I have no reason to disbelieve any of the above comments, they are uncorroborated and some people are not readily identifiable. PB
From The Times 15.6.08 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4144506.ece Lifeguards fail to save girl, 7, from drowning on fun day at crowded swimming pool

A seven-year-old girl drowned during a fun session at a busy swimming pool, despite the efforts of lifeguards. An attendant leapt into the pool to haul out the unconscious girl in front of swimmers after she was seen under the water at Blackwater Leisure Centre in Maldon, Essex. She was airlifted to Colchester General Hospital on Saturday afternoon, but pronounced dead at the hospital within an hour.

The girl’s family, from the Isle of Dogs in London, had gone to the “Fun for all” session at the leisure centre, where the pool opens its flume and there is a “jungle river ride”. Leaflets at the centre say that only competent swimmers over 4ft 9in should use the ride, which has whirlpools and a waterfall. It also advises that children under the age of eight should not go on the ride unless accompanied by an adult.

Last night it was unclear where in the swimming pool the girl’s body was found. A spokeswoman for Leisure Connections, which runs Blackwater Leisure Centre, said that an adequate number of lifeguards had been on duty. Two St John Ambulance officers, who had been in the centre for a judo competition, were called to the pool-side to attempt resuscitation, while junior cadets tried to comfort the girl’s family. The St John Ambulance Association said: “One of our ambulances was covering another event at the leisure centre when we were called to the swimming pool by staff who asked us for help.

“We rushed to the scene and tried to help. The lifeguard had already started resuscitating the young girl.”

Essex Police said last night it was handing over investigation of the girl’s death to Maldon Council’s environmental health department.

Graham Farrant, chief executive of Leisure Connection, said: “All our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and we will do anything we can to help investigate this tragic incident.”

On average, 15 people a year drown in swimming pools, most of them children. Peter Cornell, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “People don’t wave their arms or thrash about when they drown in pools or in fresh water. They just slip under and if it hasn’t been spotted by the lifeguard, it can be dangerous.”

Security is so lax at a leisure centre, a child could be taken, claimed a customer. Jim Wilson, of Church Road, Wickham Bishops, made the claim after his car was stolen. He said there should be a CCTV system at Blackwater Leisure Centre to prevent crime.

He was at the leisure centre in Park Drive, Maldon, on Sunday when thieves broke into his locker and took his car keys. When he and his wife went outside, they were shocked to find their Lexus RX300 car had also gone.

He said: "I think this opens up the issue that anyone could wander in and out of the centre without being seen. There is a more secure entry system now but if someone decides to take a child, will that stop them?"

But Ray Stannard, crime reduction officer at Maldon police, said the presence of security cameras would still not guarantee criminals would be caught.

A spokesman for Maldon District Council said: "Leisure Connection manage the building but we will raise the issue with them at a meeting next week to find out what they are planning to do."

Leisure Connection for a failure to open for the minimum hours stated in the contract

for the Blackwater Leisure Centre during the recent half-term holiday. Miss Munford

advised this had been due to staff shortages and it was agreed that Mrs Cybyk meet

with Miss Munford to discuss staffing levels and how this may be resolved for the future.

It was clarified that this was the first Default Notice served on the Company since the

start of the leisure management contract and while it was appreciated that it was safer

to keep the swimming pool closed if staff numbers were inadequate, it was the view of

the Authorised Officer that the Company had failed to deliver the service required by the

Council and the Centre’s users. It was hoped that the underlying problem with staffing