School fined for safety failings at summer camp

Canterbury Crown Court heard how a seven year old boy, who was at a summer activity camp run by St Edmunds School in Cantebury, took part in a scheduled swim. The boy got into difficulties and struggled for more than three minutes before becoming motionless in the water.

The lifeguards noticed he was in trouble and retrieved him. He regained consciousness after CPR but developed pneumonitis as a result of the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 1 August 2014, found that the lifeguards were not effectively managed and monitored to ensure that they were constantly vigilant.

Two out of the three lifeguards did not hold a current, in date lifeguard qualification

St Edmunds School pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9669.19.