INVESTIGATIONS were continuing yesterday into the death of an eight-year-old boy at a North Yorkshire leisure centre.

Kaimen Ward was pulled from the pool at Northallerton’s Hambleton Leisure Centre after getting into difficulties on Wednesday afternoon.

Lifeguards tried to resuscitate him at the scene, but he was later pronounced dead at the town’s Friarage Hospital.

The youngster, who lived with his family in Ashlands Road, Northallerton, had celebrated his birthday a week earlier.

The pool is run by Hambleton District Council and yesterday the authority said it was helping with the police investigation.

The authority has also launched an investigation and an independent safety review.

“We are conducting a thorough review,” said chief executive Peter Simpson.

“All our operating procedures were being followed.

There were three lifeguards on duty at the time of this incident, as well as swimming instructors preparing for lessons. They were all involved and are deeply upset.

“But they have been comforted by the number of messages of support which have come in from our customers.”

The council’s cabinet member for health, Peter Wilkinson, said: “This is a tragedy and our condolences are with Kaimen’s family. Northallerton is a close-knit community and the whole town is saddened by the event.”

Since Kaimen’s death the centre has remained closed, both as a mark of respect and to allow a full investigation to be carried out.

It will re-open today, at 8.30am.