Maldon swimming pool tragedy latest

By kboullemier

INVESTIGATIONS are under way after a seven-year-old girl died in a swimming pool accident in Maldon.

Little Michelle Gellard was pulled from the Blackwater Leisure Centre pool on Saturday afternoon.

She was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by St John Ambulance cadets after a lifeguard, apparently assisted by a member of the public, had brought her to the surface.

Police and the Essex Air Ambulance were called just after 2pm, but the youngster, from the Isle of Dogs in East London, was pronounced dead at Colchester General Hospital around 3.15pm.

The pool was closed until Monday afternoon. A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday and the preliminary cause of death was given as drowning.

Now a full inquiry into Michelle's death has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive in conjunction with the coroner and Maldon District Council.

They will be investigating the events that led up to the tragedy.

Poignant tributes including flowers and teddy bears were left outside the centre.

Michelle's mother, father, two brothers and sister described her as wonderful and precious.

They said: “Michelle was born and bred in the East End of London and was extremely well liked by everyone she came into contact with.”

Her mother described her as a cheeky little madam with attitude who could make anyone laugh but was also a loving, helpful and confident little girl.

Blackwater Leisure Centre is owned by Maldon District Council and managed under a contract by Leisure Connection Ltd.

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.

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