Tragic drowning incident: Seven-year-old child loses life in Lidgetton dam, near Howick

A seven-year-old child has tragically drowned in a dam in the Lidgetton area, just outside Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

According to a statement from the Midlands EMS, emergency crews were dispatched to the scene yesterday following reports of a drowning involving a child.

On arrival, paramedics found that the child had already been removed from the water.

Despite all efforts by emergency responders, the child showed no signs of life and was declared deceased at the scene.

Authorities were also in attendance, and the incident is expected to be investigated.

Midlands EMS has urged the public, particularly parents, caregivers, schools and guardians, to exercise extreme caution around open bodies of water such as dams, rivers and swimming pools.

“Children should never be left unattended near water, even for a brief moment and adults are also at risk and should avoid swimming alone or under unsafe conditions,” Midlands EMS said in a statement.

The emergency service emphasised that swimming should only take place in designated areas with proper safety measures and trained supervision where possible. Increased awareness and vigilance, they said, can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Lifesaving South Africa has previously warned that children between the ages of 5 and 17 years represent the largest proportion of both fatal and non-fatal drowning cases in South Africa.

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