Toddler died in pool after dad tried to save him as David Lloyd admits liability

20 July 2023 , 20:21

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Rocco Wright was three when he drowned in the pool (Image: PA)

A gym chain has admitted liability over the death of a toddler who drowned in a pool while a teen lifeguard failed to notice.

Three-year-old Rocco Wright was found face down in the pool by his frantic father in April 2018 as the on-duty staff member failed to notice he had gotten into trouble.

The youngster had been with his dad Steven and four year-old sister for her regular Saturday morning swimming lesson at the David Lloyd club in Moortown, Leeds, when he got into difficulty.

Now the upmarket gym firm has admitted the serious health and safety breach in court.

Family handout of Rocco, pictured in the centre (PA)

The guard was the only one on duty that day, a previous inquest into Rocco's death heard, and had been positioned at one end of the pool.

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David Lloyd has been prosecuted by Leeds City Council, and pleaded guilty to the breach on Thursday, Leeds Live reports.

The February 2020 inquest into Rocco's death heard the lifeguard was unaware of any problems until the toddler's father plunged into the pool to save him whilst screaming for help.

Mr Wright pulled his son from the pool where other gym-goers, who happened to be trained medics, gave him CPR.

Wakefield coroner's court heard in the 2020 that visibility of the bottom of the pool where Rocco was found was an issue from where the lifeguard's chair was positioned, and an additional lifeguard on duty would have ensured full visibility of the pool.

IDavid Lloyd will be sentenced at a later date.

Sophie Corcoran