7:45am Saturday 4th September 2010
Exclusive By Andy Walker
A SCHOOLBOY last night told how he tried in vain to save the life of his friend who died during a summer holiday swimming session.
Kaimen Ward, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, got into difficulties at the town’s Hambleton Leisure Centre on August 25.
Police yesterday made a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Kaimen was at the pool with a group of friends, including Michael Ward.
The 11-year-old, who has the same surname as Kaimen but is not related, was among the first to notice the youngster had slipped under the surface.
As a key witness to the tragedy, Michael spent more than 90 minutes being interviewed by North Yorkshire Police.
Michael told officers, as well as his mother, Anita, that he first became aware something was wrong after using a waterslide at the pool.
He told his mother: “My friend spotted something in the deep end of the main pool.
“I jumped in and dived down and realised it was Kaimen. He was not moving and his body was like jelly.
“That was when everybody started screaming and got the lifeguards.
“I pulled him up from the bottom of the pool before the lifeguards took over.”
Despite the efforts of Michael and others, attempts to revive Kaimen were unsuccessful.
Police are working with the Health and Safety Executive to establish the circumstances surrounding Kaimen’s death.
Detective Inspector Keith Ruff, of Northallerton CID, said: “There are still some people who were in the pool who haven’t contacted us.
“Even if people did not witness Kaimen’s tragic death, I would still like to speak with them.”
The tragedy brought back painful memories for Michael and his mother, as the youngster nearly drowned in an incident at a holiday camp in Scarborough when he was four. Mrs Ward said Michael was upset in the immediate aftermath of Kaimen’s death, but has been coping better in recent days.
She said: “It has upset me more because of what happened to Michael when he was younger. I think maybe he will start to open up a bit about what has happened after the funeral.
“That is when the reality will start to sink in, for Michael and a lot of people.
“What has happened could have an effect on him.
“But he is a strong lad – a typical 11-year-old, who has got all the support he needs.”
Mrs Ward said she hoped the investigations into Kaimen’s death would eventually being closure for his parents, Caroline and Gavin, as well as twin sister Hope- Ella and brother Jordan.
She said: “My heart goes out to the family – I feel so, so sorry for them.
“I guess I can half-understand what they are going through, because of my own experiences. I hope they get some answers.
“Questions obviously need to be asked, and answered, as to how this was allowed to happen.
“One child’s death is one death too many.
“The lifeguards are meant to have a close eye on the pool at all times and it should not be up to children like Michael to pull other little ones out of the pool if they get into trouble.”
A spokeswoman for Hambleton District Council, which runs the leisure centre, said all of its operating procedures were being followed at the time of the tragedy.
■ Kaimen’s funeral will be held at 11am, on Monday, in All Saints Church, Northallerton.
■ Anyone who was in the swimming pool after 2pm, on August 25, and has not yet spoken to police, is asked to call 0845-60-60-24-7.
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