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6-year-old boy drowns after falling into pond

19 Comments

A six-year-old boy drowned after he fell into a pond in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture.

According to police, the incident occurred just before noon Saturday, Fuji TV reported. The boy, Hinata Takayama, and his 7-year-old brother, were playing by the side of the pond when Hinata fell in.

His older brother yelled out for help and a woman passerby called 110.

Rescue personnel pulled Hinata from the pond but he was in an unconscious state. He was taken to hospital where he died about 90 minutes later.

Police said there is no fence around the pond.

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19 Comments
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Repeating tragedy here in Japan. These 'ponds' are usually small dammed concrete reservoirs which get slimy underwater. The sides are slanted and not condusive to climbing out once you fall in. A death trap for a child. Poor lad.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The number of people that cannot swim for an island country is amazing.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

The number of people that cannot swim for an island country is amazing.

Largely irrelevant. Also few 6 year olds are confident swimmers.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Woman called 110 and then did what ? Took pictures or tried to get into the water and save the Kid ?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Woman called 110 and then did what ? Took pictures or tried to get into the water and save the Kid ?

We don't know as we weren't there. Nothing to suggest she took photos. But I presume that if she could have got into the water to save the boy she would have.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Call the police and do nothing? I would be in there like a rocket, or run around to find someone quickly. By the shore lakes are usually not so deep.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The number of people that cannot swim for an island country is amazing.

Pretty much every school in this country has a pool in it. Most kindergartens as well. Swimming is taught to pretty much every student everywhere.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The pond in question is pretty big, about 100 meters by 50m. On Street View, it has roads around it and looks like there is a small low fence made of those painted logs made of concrete. There is a day care (hoikujo) literally next door, so perhaps more precautions should have been taken, such as having a life belt at each corner.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

As Goodlucktoyou says, had I been there I'd also have attempted to identify the location of the kid and have a go at helping. Sure we're told nothing in the news story above about what else the Woman did, nor even her age... hence the questions. Also was she the only one there ? Where were the Parents, and why were the Kids alone ?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

RIP and prayers with the family especially with the brother who had to witness this.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Pretty much every school in this country has a pool in it.

Those pools are typically only 120cms deep. Ponds are much deeper. RIP young lad. Condolences to his loved ones especially his big brother.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

nanadakamanda got it right, this was NOT a pond but a reservoir(there is a difference between the two) which typically here have rather steep concrete walls that make it HARD to climb out, and given the water will be cold this time of year it wont take much time to incapacitate a kid or even an adult

2 ( +2 / -0 )

So, where were the Parents ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@kohakuebisu

Do you have a news reference to the exact location of the pond J/E ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Also few 6 year olds are confident swimmers. its not about confident swimmers its about being taught the skills to save yourself should you fall into water, my two children were capable enough swimmers to swim to the edge of a pool should they fall in at the age of 4~5. There is no excuse for parents not getting your children to learn to swim. It just may save their life one day

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pretty much every school in this country has a pool in it. but the problem is in kindergarten it just wading pools, most J kids dont learn to swim properly until elementary school, this is still too late. It is never too early to get your kids to learn to swim even 1~2 yr old is fine. teaches them confidence around water and the skills to save their lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbrMcH63XM0

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This is very sad.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its not just swimming, but swimming FULLY clothed, NOT easy. When I was a kid part of swimming lessons we have to jump in fully clothed & try to get out, clothing & SHOES make it VERY hard to swim.

Anyone thinking of jumping in to rescue someone should strip down BEFORE attempting to save someone, tat is why we often read about adults trying to save someone & also end up making the ultimate sacrifice

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As GW indicted earlier, the water is still very cold at this time of year, and it will slow down even an adult in a seriously short time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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