Mum’s horrifying screams after son, 12, drowns in packed pool on family camping holiday in France
A BRIT mum screamed in horror as her 12-year-old son drowned in a packed swimming pool on a French camping holiday.
Nearby doctors battled to save the lad after he got into difficulty while swimming at La Croix Du Vieux Pont, near Paris this Thursday.
Dozens of people rushed to help the boy when he was pulled from the water at a man-made pool.
The youth is said to have been unconscious when he was initially rescued by the lifeguard but was later sent by helicopter ambulance to a Paris hospital where he later died, according to local media.
An eyewitness who was on holiday with his family at the time of incident has told how several British doctors and nurses took it in turns to perform CPR on the boy for what "seemed like forever" until paramedics arrived.
The holidaymaker, who did not wish to be named said: “We were on the beach at the time with our two children on what had been the hottest day in the last week.
BRIT DOCTORS BATTLED TO SAVE HIM
"The first we knew something had happened was when someone came running over shouting to ask if anyone was a doctor, saying help was needed for an emergency on the opposite side of the beach to where we were sat.
"We looked over and could see a big crowd around what we now know was a little boy who had been pulled from the water. There was a lot of shouting and panic.
"There were a few doctors and nurses who were on holiday who ran towards them and there were lots of other people trying to help.
"It seemed like ages before any paramedics arrived and then more arrived. There were police officers, paramedics and the fire service.
"Everyone was praying he would be OK. It was shocking to see, you just don’t expect it."
A European Camping Group spokesperson said: "The European Camping Group was deeply touched to learn of the death at the hospital, following a drowning on Thursday, August 22, of one of the teenage customers of the Tour Operator Venue Holidays at the Camping La Croix du Vieux Pont in Berny-Riviere, and expresses his deep sorrow to the family.
"The group and the camping direction and its staff, shocked by this tragedy, are with the holidaymakers and a psychological support was set up, 24 hours a day with an English-speaking French psychologist.
"The group, for the first time confronted with a fatal accident on one of its camping, collaborates with the authorities to shed light on the circumstances of the accident."
Venue Holidays said in a statement: "Kent-based Venue Holidays, sadly confirms that a boy aged 11 died yesterday, 22nd August, while on a family holiday in Northern France.
"The family concerned were staying at La Croix du Vieux Pont at Berny-Rivière.
"Our hearts go out to the family concerned at this awful time. A senior director is on the campsite to offer assistance to the family and to ascertain what has happened.
"We will of course co-operate fully with the owners of the campsite and with any official enquiry that the French authorities may instigate.
"We will help the family in whatever way is possible and would request that their privacy is
respected at this difficult time."
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British child who has died in France and are in contact with the French authorities."
La Croix du Vieux Pont, near the village of Berny-Riviere, in Picardy, is located around 50 miles north-east of Paris and Disneyland Paris, a popular attraction for guests staying at the campsite.
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The camp's website states: "La Croix du Vieux Pont has four pools, including one with a retractable roof and an outdoor pool.
"There's also a beauty salon onsite, so you can treat yourself to a treatment or two.
"Add friendly bars and two restaurants, one overlooking the pool, plus a whole host of sports and activities like canoeing, tennis and karting, the whole family is sure to have a fun filled holiday."
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