What was meant to be a relaxing family getaway turned into an unimaginable tragedy when six-year-old Oliver Forde drowned in the swimming pool at the Tullamore Court Hotel in Co Offaly. The young boy, who had been swimming with his father and siblings, removed his armbands shortly after entering the water. Moments later, he was found unresponsive at the bottom of the pool.

An inquest into his death has now revealed the devastating details of how the young child lost his life and the heartbreaking impact it has had on his family.

A Momentary Glance Away Ends in Disaster

Oliver, a pupil at Harold’s Cross National School in Dublin, had been enjoying a stay at the hotel with his father, Denis Forde, and his siblings. They had already visited the swimming pool earlier in the day and returned in the evening for another swim.

According to Mr Forde’s statement, Oliver and his younger brother, Lucas, were both wearing armbands when they first entered the pool, which had a uniform depth of 1.3 metres. However, in a moment of innocent mimicry, Oliver removed his armbands, seemingly copying his older brother, Jack, who was then eight years old.

His father recalled how he had only taken his eyes off Oliver for a second before noticing that he was missing. After frantically searching the changing rooms and the surrounding area, Mr Forde spotted his son lying motionless at the bottom of the pool and immediately jumped in to pull him out.

Failed Lifeguard Supervision Raises Questions

A lifeguard on duty, Adrian Carroll, rushed to assist after Mr Forde retrieved Oliver from the water. Mr Carroll, along with other staff, began performing CPR while awaiting emergency services.

The inquest heard that although a lifeguard was meant to be monitoring the pool, Mr Carroll had been away from the pool area at the time, leaving the responsibility to another hotel staff member, Mandy Kelly, who was stationed at the reception desk. Ms Kelly, however, was not a trained lifeguard at the time of the incident.

She admitted during the inquest that while she had observed the children playing, she was also conducting a water test and dealing with other reception duties. When asked whether she could properly monitor the pool while simultaneously checking guests in, she accepted that it would not have been possible.

Emergency Response and the Fight for Oliver’s Life

Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported Oliver to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where doctors fought to revive him. Despite their efforts, the young boy had suffered severe brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation. He was later transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, where he tragically passed away two days later on May 31, 2022.

During the inquest, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Dr Seán O’Rourke, testified that Oliver was found in cardiac arrest when he arrived at the hospital. His heartbeat was only restored at 7:25 PM while in hospital care, but by then, the lack of oxygen had already caused irreversible brain damage.

A Mother’s Heartbreaking Tribute

Oliver’s mother, Nina Mahon, who was separated from his father, broke down in tears as she listened to the inquest findings. Despite her grief, she found comfort in the knowledge that Oliver’s organs had been donated, saving the lives of four other children.

“I will never ever get over the loss of my son,” she said, adding that the inquest had finally given her some clarity on the circumstances of his death.

Changes Implemented After the Tragedy

Following Oliver’s death, Tullamore Court Hotel has introduced stricter policies regarding children in the pool. Previously, an adult could supervise two children under the age of eight, but the new rule now applies to children of all ages.

Additionally, the hotel has reviewed its staff policies regarding lifeguard supervision. However, General Manager Philip O’Brien admitted that there was no specific rule prohibiting reception staff from performing other tasks while overseeing the pool.

The Verdict and Key Takeaways

The coroner, Dr Clare Keane, recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, acknowledging the risk factor associated with Oliver removing his armbands. She emphasized that drowning incidents could occur in a matter of seconds and urged parents and pool operators to remain vigilant.

While the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided that no criminal charges would arise from the case, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reminded all pool operators of their responsibility to ensure proper risk assessments are in place.

A Stark Reminder of Pool Safety for Parents and Guardians

Oliver’s death is a tragic reminder of how quickly a fun day at the pool can turn fatal. Experts emphasize the importance of constant supervision, especially when young children are in the water.

Drowning is a silent killer. Unlike in movies, children do not typically splash or call for help when in distress. This heartbreaking incident highlights the necessity of ensuring that lifeguards are always actively watching the pool, without distraction.

Honouring Oliver’s Legacy

Oliver’s story has touched the hearts of many across Ireland. His family continues to mourn his loss, but his mother finds solace in the lives he saved through organ donation.

As communities reflect on this tragedy, the hope is that lessons are learned and that stricter safety measures prevent another family from experiencing such an unimaginable loss.

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