Pool dip turns fatal for nine-yr-old

THANE: A nine-year-old boy drowned on Monday afternoon when he went to take a dip in the swimming pool of an upmarket housing complex in Thane.
The boy, a resident of a nearby slum, had sneaked into the complex by climbing its compound wall. A friend accompanying him was rushed to hospital on time.
The tragedy occurred in a swimming pool maintained by Shreeji Ville Complex near Nitin Company around 2 pm.
The two boys, Prathamesh Dhumak and Darpan Shinde, both residents of Namdev Wadi in the Panchpakhadi area, climbed the compound wall and went to take a splash in the pool. At some point, they ventured into the deeper end of the pool.
Within moments, the boys started shouting for help, after which the security guards deployed at the complex rushed to their aid. They fished the boys out of the water, but Dhumak was dead by then. Shinde, who tried to save his friend, was taken to the nearby Kaushalya Hospital. He was said to be out of danger.
Dhumak was studying in Std V. His mother works as a domestic help in the local housing societies while his father is employed in a shop.
The security staff of Shreeji Ville complained that children from the nearby slum frequented the place in the afternoon when the pool is closed to members of the society. At times, the trespassing children would also bring their dogs along for a dip.
Although the members of the housing society had brought the matter to the notice of the local police, no heed was reportedly paid to their complaints.
Residents of the society were shocked. "We feel very sorry about the unfortunate incident. It could have been avoided had the authorities concerned taken note of our previous complaints," said society chairman N K Tajane. The Naupada police are investigating the matter.
One of the residents said parents must keep a close eye on the activities of their wards.
The Thane society has decided to be more vigilant during the afternoon, when the pool cannot be used by its members.