Mumbai: A 14-year-old boy drowned in the swimming pool of Yashodham High School in Goregaon (East) on Friday noon. Senior Inspector Jeevan Kharat of Dindoshi police confirmed that the boy, Shardul Sanjay Arolkar, was a special child and not a learner. According to the trainer's statement to the police, Arolkar appeared tired while swimming and was unable to move his hands, potentially leading to his drowning. The boy's mother and three trainers were present at the poolside when the tragic incident occurred.
Boy declared brought dead at hospital
Upon realising something was wrong, the trainers jumped into the pool and managed to pull him out. The boy was immediately rushed to Shatabdi Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival. Kharat stated that an accidental death report has been filed, and a thorough investigation is underway. The post-mortem report is yet to be received. The school, located in an upscale area on Gen A.K. Vaidya Marg, gained attention in the past when parents protested against a fee hike.
Preliminary findings suggest no foul play. The boy was swimming with three other children, while three coaches and the boy's mother were present on the pool deck. During the swimming session, Shardul entered the water and did not resurface for some time. As he was considered a proficient swimmer, the coaches assumed he would emerge on his own. When he failed to do so, the coaches entered the water and retrieved him. Shardul vomited water and lost consciousness. He was later admitted to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
However, the boy's father, Sanjay Arolkar, in his statement, requested a detailed investigation and action against the school management, trustees, and coaches.
According to the father's statement, Shardul had been undergoing basic swimming training at the school's swimming pool for the past year. He was a ninth-grade student, and four trainers were supervising the swimming session. Around 12:30 pm on Friday, his wife, Snehalata, called him to inform him about their son Shardul's drowning. His wife and another trainer initially admitted the boy to a private hospital, but after an assessment, they were advised to transfer him to a civic hospital. Consequently, Shardul was admitted to Shatabdi Hospital.
