David Lloyd Leisure Group to be Prosecuted after 3-year-old Dies in Swimming Pool

David Lloyd Leisure is to be prosecuted over alleged health and safety breaches, after the death of a three-year-old boy in of their pools.

An announcement was made by Leeds City Council on Monday after an inquest jury returned a conclusion of accident at a hearing in Wakefield. The jury heard how Rocco Wright died after his father grabbed him out of the water – at the David Lloyd centre in Leeds, on April 21 2018.

The hearing revealed that there was only one lifeguard on duty at the time of the accident, who was 17-years-old.

A Leeds City Council spokesman said: “The death of a child in any circumstances is tragic, and we continue to offer the Wright family our sincerest sympathy.

“Leeds City Council’s Health and Safety Inspectors have investigated the circumstances of Rocco’s death and believe that David Lloyd Leisure Ltd have committed offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which we intend to prosecute in the near future.

“We will keep in regular contact with the family and ensure they are informed and supported throughout this next stage.”

Last week, Rocco’s father told the jury that his son’s death ‘could and should have been prevented.’

Mr Wright also told how his panic grew as he searched for his son, before finding him at the bottom of the main pool. It is thought that Rocco was under water for an estimated two minutes.

The jury reached their conclusion once being told by coroner, Jonathan Leach, that accident was the only one possible.