Police are called in to investigate death of boy, four, at Center Parcs resort swimming pool

Police have been called in to help investigate the death of a four-year-old boy in a swimming pool at a Center Parcs resort.

The child was pulled from a pool at the leisure complex in Longleat, Wiltshire, at around 11am on Christmas Eve, with emergency services including the air ambulance scrambled.

But despite the best efforts of medics and lifeguards, he could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the resort shortly afterwards.

Wiltshire Police said it is working with the coroner to determine the circumstances of the boy’s death. 

Police have been called in to investigate the death of a four-year-old boy in a swimming pool at Center Parcs. Pictured: The outdoor rapids slide at Center Parcs, Longleat 

The boy was pulled from the water at around 11am on Christmas Eve and despite the best efforts of medics was unable to be saved. Pictured: A swimming pool at Center Parcs’ resort in Longleat 

In a statement issued today, the force said: ‘We are working alongside HM Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon following the death of a four-year-old boy at CenterParcs, Longleat.

‘A post-mortem will take place in due course, however, at this time there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.’

Holidaymakers said the resort’s sub-tropical swimming pool was closed due to a ‘serious medical incident’.

After the tragic incident the pool was closed, although Center Parcs has confirmed it reopened on Christmas Day.

It was reported that staff were in ‘floods of tears’ while they tried to save the boy, who according to a witness was pulled from the water at Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

A member of the public also helped lifeguards, The Sun reported.

The coroner is looking into the circumstances of the boy’s death. Pictured: The entrance to Center Parcs, Longleat Forest 

One person staying at Center Parcs for Christmas said: ‘Thankfully we didn’t see anything. We noticed a big crowd all leaving the plaza.

‘We were headed back to our lodge to have lunch before swimming. I checked my phone and saw the pool was closed due to an incident.

‘Obviously that’s all we knew originally.

‘The plaza is all open, the parc market, gift shops… there is just a temporary barrier across the entrance to the pool itself.’

Center Parcs issued a statement on the day that said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that a young guest has passed away at Longleat Forest today.’

‘We are offering our support to the family and to our employees who provided immediate assistance.

‘Our thoughts remain with the family at this very difficult time.’