“Please don't blame the lifeguards.. they are often young teenagers trying to earn some sort of wage, and I do think there is too much responsibility for them to deal with, especially on a busy Saturday afternoon. Fully trained, experienced adults should be on shift at the same time.
Also, who was looking after the girl? She must have been out of sight for quite some time in order for her to have died before anyone even noticed.. If I were swimming with young children, my eye wouldn't be off of them for a single second, let alone long enough for them to wonder off and drown.
However, this is an awful tragedy and ACCIDENT, so my sympathies to the family and to the lifeguards and other bystanders involved in her rescue”

“Let's start at the beginning. All the people of Maldon wanted was an indoor pool. (at that time, we still had the outdoor one). What we got was, typically from MDC, some half baked, badly thought out and badly constructed hybrid, complete with smelly burger bar (how healthy is that?). The had problems from day one. The roof leaked. The flume ride was closed after kids broke bones. The cleanliness was, and is, bad. And, sadly, all the years I have known it, the staff have always been demotivated, too young and more interested in chatting up young girls or talking to each other.
The other facilities are the same. Sometimes you can stand in reception for 15 minutes whilst untrained kids struggle with yet another
'compooter sistom'. I went to the pool one week after this tragedy and saw all the same old faults. Still, as long as someone is making a profit, eh? Run this place properly or simply close it.”

“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”

“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!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“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.”

“my deepest sympethys to the family and also to the st jonh cadets present. as a st john cadet my self and a regular pool user i must say i have never seen the pool and as unsafe or the life guards unfit for perpouse.

i feel,destraught as they are the family owe a huge thankyou to the st john cadets and the life guard who gave resusitation as with out this effort she wouldnt have stood a chance anyway.”

“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”

“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???”

“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”

“My heart goes out to the family and friends, a tragic accident , my heart goes out to the parents at this extremely difficult time. Heaven has gained an angel, rest in peace Michelle.”