Swimming lesson turned to tragedy after toddler dies

The parents of a little girl who was in a critical condition in a hospital in Johannesburg, have announced her death.

What started out as a swimming lesson, turned into a tragedy for a young swimmer.

A four-year-old was rushed to Johannesburg by helicopter on September 9 after a drowning incident at a swimming school in Paryslaan. The toddler later died in hospital.

Mooirivier Beskerming’s medical staff together with ER24 responded to a call received by their control room just before midday. After approximately 25 minutes, the return of spontaneous circulation was achieved and it was decided to transfer the toddler per helicopter to a specialist facility in Johannesburg.

Rocket Hems was contacted and the child was moved to a suitable landing area at Baillie Park Primary School. Rocket Hems took the child to Johannesburg in a stable but critical condition.

Silvia’s Ark, the nursery school that the toddler attended, later expressed their condolences to the parents of Sisiphosethu Chaka (Sasa) in a statement.

Sasa’s father, Xolile George Chaka, issued a statement on Saturday announcing his daughter’s death.

“It is with great sadness that we as parents confirm the death of our daughter. Sasa went to the Lord on Friday. As a family we would like to thank everyone for their wishes and prayers directed at us and our daughter. Arrangements regarding the funeral and daily prayers will be announced once the family has met and made a decision.”

The Herald reached out to the family without success.