MESA, Ariz. — A 6-year-old boy died Tuesday afternoon after he was pulled from a body of water near an apartment complex in Mesa.
Mesa Police said an employee working at the complex found the boy in a small body of water on the property just after 1 p.m. The employee jumped in, pulled the boy out and started CPR.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Muere un niño luego de que lo sacaran de un pequeño lago en Mesa
Officers and paramedics continued performing life-saving measures as the child was transported to the hospital.
The child was pronounced dead at about 2 p.m.
The situation appears to have been a "tragic accident" and investigators are working to build a timeline leading up to the drowning, a police spokesman said.
Police said the boy was found by himself.
Water safety advocates say this drowning serves as an unfortunate reminder that no body of water is safe.
“Anytime you’re around water in general, whether you’re on the water or off the water, if you’re around it, always be mindful of your surroundings. Always, always keep an eye on children," Tempe Park Ranger Sean Forrest said.
There are hundreds of artificial lakes and ponds in golf courses, parks and neighborhoods around the Valley.
Most don't allow swimming, but each one still poses a risk of drowning.
“You can drown in as little as two inches of water. It really doesn’t take much," Forrest said.
Forrest said people utilizing some of the larger bodies of water for recreation need to wear a life jacket.
“In case that they can’t swim or in case that they get tired from treading water, it gives us that extra layer of protection," Forrest said.
Water safety advocates said the best drowning prevention is knowing how to swim. People of all ages are encouraged to enroll in classes around the Valley.
Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.