SAFETY ALERT: Local experts give perspective after 4-year-old drowns

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - After a 4-year-old died following an accident at a neighborhood swimming pool, we’re looking at water safety as people try to stay cool in the CSRA’s summer heat.

Harang Jeon died Saturday at Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where he’d been since soon after the accident on July 15 at Magnolia Valley Plantation in Evans.

It’s being investigated as a tragic accident, and no foul play is suspected.

Experts say for every child who drowns, five more are treated in the emergency room for near-drowning.

The Evans case brings to mind the drowning three years ago of 4-year-old Izzy Scott during a swimming lesson in Burke County.

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Although Izzy died during a swimming lesson, experts say swimming lessons are among the best ways to cut down on this type of accident.

In fact, Izzy’s family launched the Izzy Scott Foundation to focus on water safety as a critical life skill.

The foundation partners with the Salvation Army Kroc Center to make sure kids have an opportunity to get lessons.

Jessica Bacon, association aquatics & staff development director at the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, said they offer a wide variety of classes, ranging from toddlers to adaptive swim classes.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot more tragedy in some of those younger ages, those toddler ages, they get really curious. Some drownings take place in very obvious places, bodies of water, pools, lakes and ponds. But other drownings take place at home,” said Bacon.

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Their child drowning is a parent’s worst nightmare, and it was almost reality for James Morton.

Morton and his family were on vacation in Daytona, and his son jumped into the pool after seeing two other people jump in.

“Me being a father. I know how to swim. I had to jump in there and then save him,” said Morton.

His son now takes swimming lessons at the Y.

“I just thank God that I was there with him. And now, since I come here with the swimming lesson, he may be there for someone else,” said Morton.

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According to the CDC, around two children 14 years old or younger die every day due to drowning.

The latest stats indicate that 3,880 people die due to drowning each year, with death rates being the highest among children four years old and younger.

Drowning is currently the leading cause of death for infants and young children in 18 states, and nationally ranks second to automobile accidents.

“Drowning is 100% preventable. So teaching a kid how to swim and it’s not just teaching them how to swim, it’s those water safety skills,” said Bacon.

The YMCA offers free swim lessons for second graders in Richmond County.

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All they have to do is go to a Richmond County school, be able to bring a bathing suit and towel, and the Y provides the rest.

The Kroc Center also has once-a-week lessons for $45 and offers adult lessons.

Looking into the future, artificial intelligence could offer some solutions.

A new device uses an underwater camera, artificial intelligence, and an alert system to help stop drownings.

An alarm goes off if someone appears to be drowning.