UPDATE: Sundowner drowning incident ends in tragedy

UPDATE: 10am – 24 March

A family member of the young boy who drowned in a complex in Sundowner has confirmed to Randburg Sun that the child died in hospital last night.

According to paramedics, they were called to the scene at about 3.30pm yesterday, and found an 18-month-old baby unresponsive after having fallen into a swimming pool.

They performed CPR and managed to regain a pulse. The boy was then air-lifted to Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, where he later died.

The 8-year-old boy who pulled him from the water is being hailed by community members for his bravery.

This is a developing story. More information will follow as it becomes available.

UPDATE: 10.30pm

Unconfirmed reports state the the 18-month old boy who fell into a swimming pool earlier today may have succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Despite its best efforts, Randburg Sun has not been able to confirm these reports, and will continue to attempt to get confirmation from the relevant authorities.

However, information posted on the Sundowner community WhatsApp group, and several community Facebook groups indicates that although the little one fought hard, he had suffered too much damage and was not able to pull through the ordeal.

Community members came out in force in support of the little boy and his family, with many posting messages of love, prayer and support.

Randburg Sun will update this post as soon as more information becomes available.

INITIAL REPORT: 6pm

An 8-year-old boy is being hailed a hero after pulling a drowning child from a swimming pool in a Sundowner complex.

Paramedics have confirmed that a one-and-a-half year old boy has been airlifted to hospital after falling into a swimming pool.

According to Shawn Herbst, Media Liaison Officer for Netcare 911, the boy fell into the pool and was submerged for about 10 minutes before a family member found him and pulled him out of the water.

“CPR was not performed until paramedics arrived on the scene. The child was in cardiac arrest, an Advanced life support resuscitation was initiated by Paramedics from Netcare 911, Life ALS, Emerg-G-Med and a pulse was regained,” said Herbst.

Herbst confirmed that the child, who is the son of the home’s domestic worker, was then taken to Curro Aurora where he was airlifted to Charlotte Maxeke hospital.

“The boy was pulled from the water by the 8-year-old boy who lives at the home,” confirmed Herbst.

This is a developing story. More information will follow as it becomes available.