Mother’s torment after son, eight, dies in swimming pool tragedy.

A DISTRAUGHT mother whose son died in a busy indoor swimming pool last night asked: “How could this happen?”

Kaimen Ward died after getting into difficulties during a visit to Hambleton Leisure Centre, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday afternoon.

His mother, Caroline Ward, who was not at the leisure centre when the tragedy happened, at about 4pm, was told of her son’s death by police.

The 41-year-old wept last night as she asked: “I want answers as to how this was allowed to happen.”

As a police investigation continued last night, Hambleton District Council, which runs the pool, said the accident happened despite a higher than usual number of lifeguards.

The authority said Kaimen died while a public swimming session was ending and a lesson was beginning – meaning the pool had a large number of lifeguards and expert swimmers on hand.

The 25-metre pool was patrolled by three lifeguards, with two instructors preparing to supervise the swimming lessons also at the poolside.

Ms Ward, of Ashlands Road, Northallerton, paid tribute to her “perfect” son, who celebrated his eighth birthday a week before he died.

Birthday cards could still be seen yesterday at the home she shared with Kaimen and his twin sister, Hope-Ella.

Ms Ward said: “What I want to know is, where the hell were the lifeguards?

“It is peak season at the pool, so how did he go unsupervised?

“I want answers as to how this was allowed to happen. I want to prevent this happening to another child.”

Ms Ward, who also has a 19- year-old son, said: “Kaimen was such a lovely boy – his sister doesn’t know why he hasn’t come home.

“He was a lovely little chap – he loved his gadgets.

“He was perfect in my eyes.”

In a statement released by North Yorkshire Police, Kaimen’s family described him as “the best son and brother anyone could wish for”.

The statement said: “We are struggling to come to terms with what has happened. It has left us completely devastated.

“We would like to thank everybody for all the love and support we have received.”

Floral tributes to Kaimen have been left outside the leisure centre, which remained closed yesterday as police and Health and Safety Executive investigations continued.

It is expected to remain shut until Sunday at the earliest.

A card on one bouquet read: “Deepest sympathies. Forever in our thoughts and prayers.

Sleep well.”

Councillor Peter Wilkinson, the district council’s cabinet member for health, said there were about 35 to 40 people in the pool at the time of the incident.

He said nothing like this had happened at any of the four swimming pools the council operates since the authority was created in 1974.

Coun Wilkinson said: “We are co-operating fully with the investigation, staff are making statements and we are carrying out our own investigation into this tragic incident.

“It is not clear exactly what happened and it is important that we get to the bottom of it.

“This is a tragedy, whichever way you look at it, and everybody sends their condolences to the family.”

■ An inquest into Kaimen’s death is expected to be opened and adjourned early next week. Anyone with information is asked to call police, on 0845-60-60-24-7.