Latest news with #poolsafety
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Michelle Dewberry reveals terrifying moment when she dived fully-clothed into holiday pool to save her four-year-old boy - after lad drowns in Tenerife
TV Presenter Michelle Dewberry has revealed the terrifying moment she dived into a holiday pool to save her four-year-old son after he went under with 'fear in his eyes'. In a lengthy social media post, Ms Dewberry recalled the traumatic events in the aftermath of the tragic death of a Northern Irish boy of the same age. The media personality and GB News host, said her heart was 'breaking' for the 'poor family' of Edward James Watson Massey, from Co Down, who was found unresponsive on Thursday, May 22 in a pool in San Miguel de Abona. Ms Dewberry said today: 'I have a little boy who is also four. I don't usually share personal stuff about him, but this is important… 'A few weeks ago, we too were on holiday & my boy was in the pool. He was fully supervised by us, but one of his toys drifted out and he instinctively went to collect it. 'Unbeknownst to me, the pool depth changed steeply and my boy lost his footing. He immediately became submerged. 'I will never ever forget the fear in his eyes as he went under, unable to do anything else.' The 49-year-old then recounted how she jumped fully-clothed into the water to 'grab' her child with her dress becoming 'instantly filled with water' which 'dragged' her back. She said two lifeguards had come to help her too and that fortunately she managed to pull her son out in time. But Ms Dewberry added she would 'never forget the terror in his eyes and the fear in my heart'. Four-year-old Edward James Watson Massey leaves behind his parents Richard and Joanne and sister Victoria. Paying tribute, they said there lives would 'never be the same without him'. Emergency services rushed to José Miguel Galván Bello Avenue shortly before 5pm local time following reports of a child in cardiac arrest. Several hotel guests, including individuals who identified themselves as doctors, reportedly joined the rescue efforts in a desperate attempt to revive him. It's understood a nurse from the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) provided CPR instructions over the phone while medics scrambled to locate a defibrillator Two advanced life support ambulances and a medical helicopter were sent to the scene. My heart breaks for this poor family💔 When I read this, I honestly thought 'there but for the grace of god go I'. I have a little boy who is also 4. I don't usually share personal stuff about him, but this is important… A few weeks ago, we too were on holiday & my boy was… — Michelle Dewberry (@MichelleDewbs) May 28, 2025 Despite the best efforts of paramedics, who carried out advanced resuscitation procedures, young Edward could not be saved. Reflecting on the events, Ms Deweberry said: 'As we come into holiday season, I beg all parents never to take their eyes off their children when they are in the water. 'I speak from experience now when I tell you these tragedies can literally happen in seconds. 'It's quicker than you would ever imagine. None of us deserve to go home without our babies and I send all of my love and best wishes to this family. 'I can't imagine what they must be going through right now. Truly devastating.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Family pushes for pool safety reform after daughter's drowning death
The Brief The family of 5-year-old Thamar Esperance is calling for stricter pool safety laws after she drowned in an unfenced construction-site pool in Apopka in 2021. They recently settled a $10.5 million lawsuit and are now urging lawmakers to enforce existing codes and pass new protections. Florida leads the nation in child drownings, with heightened risks for children with special needs. APOPKA, Fla. - The family of 5-year-old Thamar Esperance is calling for stricter pool safety laws after she drowned in an unfenced construction-site pool. 'This was an easily preventable accident' What we know In 2021, 5-year-old Thamar Esperance drowned after wandering into an unfenced, water-filled pool under construction near her family's home in Apopka, Florida. Her family later filed a lawsuit against the construction company responsible, citing code violations. The case recently settled for $10.5 million. Now, Thamar's parents are advocating for stricter enforcement of existing pool safety laws and new legislation to protect children — particularly those with special needs — from similar tragedies. What we don't know It remains unclear how widespread the issue of unfenced construction-site pools is in Florida or how often such violations go unpunished. The backstory Thamar was described by her parents as a bright, loving child who had autism and required additional supervision. Her death occurred within seconds, according to family attorney Michael Haggard. The tragedy was deemed preventable, with the family and their legal team arguing the lack of fencing violated local safety codes. Though the family reached a financial settlement, they have since shifted their focus to public advocacy, turning their loss into a push for policy change. Big picture view Florida leads the nation in child drowning deaths, an issue exacerbated by the state's large number of residential pools and ongoing construction in suburban neighborhoods. Safety laws requiring protective barriers around pools already exist, but enforcement is often inconsistent. Advocates argue the risk is even greater for children with special needs, who may be more likely to wander or misinterpret danger. What they're saying The family remembers Thamar as bright, loving, and full of life. "Thamar was our first and our last baby girl," explained Betchine Amilcar, Thamar's mother. In 2021, they lost her when she wandered away from her home in Apopka and fell into a pool next door that was under construction, filled with water but without a required safety fence. "This is a violation of the law and local codes," said family attorney Michael Haggard. On Wednesday, the family stood outside the department of health to push for change. Amilcar said, "We stand here today for her & make sure no family goes through this again." Attorneys say the risk is even higher for children with special needs and warn that without action, more families could face the same devastating loss. "This was an easily preventable accident. It should've never happened," Haggard said. "This was a matter of seconds when this occurred." As the family grieves, they are channeling pain into purpose, hoping their daughter's legacy saves others. "We have piece knowing other companies will learn what happened and all pools are covered by fence," Amilcar added. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: The Source This story was written based on information shared by the family of 5-year-old Thamar Esperance and their attorney, Michael Haggard.
