An 11-year-old boy drowned in a river in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Saturday afternoon.
Police said Sunday that the boy, Fuga Takahashi, had gone to the Kiku river to play with two classmates. At around 4:15 p.m., the two classmates went to a nearby resident and asked for help, saying Takahashi had gotten into difficulties in the river and disappeared, Fuji TV reported. The resident then called 119.
Divers found the boy's body on the riverbed about two hours later. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 7 p.m. Saturday.
The river is about 70 meters wide and 1 1/2 meters deep where Takahashi went under, police said.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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Penfold
RIP, his family must be devastated . I'm currently teaching my 11 yr old to swim for this very reason.
Guy_Jean_Dailleult
The news stories on the weekend's drownings that come out every summer Sunday and Monday are definitely the worst part of the Japanese summer. RIP
Ian Robertson
ANOTHER drowning! Swimming lessons should be mandatory for all kids in Japan. This is so sad.
WilliB
Hard to comment on that without knowing details. The article says the river was only 1.5 meters deep, but even that can be very iffy, depending on the strength of the current an possible obstacles.
Anthony Fenton
All bodies of water (oceans, lakes, ponds, pools, rivers) have their own set of hazards for even the strongest of swimmers: rivers are extremely hazardous recreational places, ask any canoeist or kayaker. Currents, rocks, tree roots, dead spots, water depth, wild life, weather, and visibility all make for treacherous conditions, even if one is wearing a life preserver. Unfortunately, in hot weather, because of the seeming shallowness and refreshing sound, rivers are inviting places for those who unwittingly seek refuge from the heat. Children, teenagers, and inexperienced adults are well advised to avoid rivers, especially during periods of high run-off!
DaDude
No guarantee that the boy was over 1.5 meters tall in the first place.
Ms. Alexander
Sad news and, unfortunately will probably one of many we will read about as the summer approaches.
I think it's more than just knowing how to swim. Swimming in trunks and swimming with full clothes on is completely different. And if panic sets in, it probably makes swimming much more difficult.
I always tell my kids that they better not play in the river or go anywhere near one without either myself or my husband. Period.
My condolence to the family.