6-year-old nearly drowns in Rolesville
ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Sources said a 6-year-old boy found nearly drowned at a community swimming pool in Rolesville Saturday was in critical condition at WakeMed Monday.
Rolesville police are not releasing the boy's identity, but said it happened around 7:30 p.m. at The Village at Rolesville swimming pool near South Main Street.
An eyewitness, Jeremy Shelley, said he and his family were at The Village at Rolesville pool that night eating pizza on the pool deck as another family was swimming.
He said he noticed the adults were looking around for something in the water. They didn't speak English, but Shelley said it didn't feel right so he got up and walked over toward the deep end.
"That's when I noticed the child was laying at the bottom of the pool," he said. "He basically looked like he was asleep, just in a sleeping position at the bottom of the pool."
Shelley yelled for someone to call 911 as the adults pulled the boy from the water. One of the men started performing CPR and the child began to cough up water. EMS arrived and took him to the hospital.
Rolesville Police Chief Bobby Langston said even if there had been a lifeguard on duty at the pool, parents should never take any moment for granted.
"It only takes a split second," said Langston. "You turn your back, something can happen."
Shelley knows that all too well now. He said you can't go through something like this and remain unchanged.
"I will definitely be more on guard and more aware of where my kids are, maybe even over the top, but as long as I can take them home at night, that's OK," he said.
The Village at Rolesville does not have any lifeguards on staff. There is a pool attendant who monitors the gate.
