Photo: Mikko Stig / Lehtikuva
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Three children under the age of ten were pulled lifeless from the water at swimming areas in Espoo on Tuesday. All survived due to immediate intervention by bystanders. Police say the events are serious and raise concerns over parental supervision.
The incidents occurred at Laaksolahti beach, Kivenlahti beach, and Leppävaara swimming pool. None of the children were under close adult supervision at the time. In each case, bystanders, not the guardians, initiated the rescue and resuscitation efforts.
At Laaksolahti, 18-year-old Lotta Timonen and her friend noticed a small child’s hand in the water and quickly realised the child was not playing. The friend dove in and lifted the unconscious child to the surface, where Timonen began CPR on the dock. The child, estimated to be around five years old, regained consciousness and began to breathe.
Timonen described the child as limp and unresponsive with blue lips. “From my perspective, he was gone,” she said. “We turned him on his side, and he started coughing up water.” The child’s guardians arrived only after he had revived.
At Kivenlahti beach, a six-year-old was seen floating face down. A passer-by pulled the child from the water and another bystander performed resuscitation. The child was stabilised and transported to hospital for follow-up care.
In Leppävaara, a four-year-old who had slipped away from their guardian was found unresponsive in the pool. A nearby child managed to lift them from the water. An adult bystander then assisted until emergency services arrived.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Maria Hietajärvi of Western Uusimaa Police, the situation is unprecedented. “I have not encountered anything like this in my 20-year career, three separate resuscitations of children on the same day in one city,” she said.
All three children survived. Two were taken to hospital for treatment and remain under care but are not in critical condition.
Police have launched separate investigations into each incident. One line of inquiry is whether the cases meet the legal threshold for child neglect. “A guardian should be able to prevent a child from ending up unconscious in the water,” Hietajärvi said.
At Laaksolahti, the child’s guardians left the scene with the child before police arrived. Authorities have asked them to come forward.
Bystanders who helped save the children have been publicly commended by police. “We thank the brave and observant young people at Laaksolahti and Leppävaara, and the other bystanders who played a role in saving lives,” said Hietajärvi.
The incidents occurred during a period of warmer weather following a cool early summer. Police suspect the sudden rise in beach activity may have contributed to the risk.
Authorities have issued a renewed warning to adults accompanying children to swimming areas. “Responsibility lies with the guardian,” said Hietajärvi. “If that duty is neglected, the consequences can be life-threatening.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
