Boy dies at Center Parcs in Wiltshire after falling ill 'in sub-tropical indoor pool area'
The boy became unwell while reportedly playing in the sub-tropical indoor pool area at the Longleat Forest complex.
Friday 23 August 2019 14:28, UK
A boy has died at a Center Parcs in Wiltshire after becoming ill.
It was reported he became unwell while playing in the sub-tropical indoor pool area at the Longleat Forest complex.
In a statement, Center Parcs said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic news that a young guest passed away after becoming unwell whilst at Longleat Forest.
"Our team responded professionally and appropriately in very challenging circumstances.
"They provided CPR, with the assistance of medically trained members of the public, until paramedics arrived and screened the area from view while the boy was being treated.
"At the family's request, we did not share any further information on the boy's condition until the family were comfortable with us doing so.
"We have remained in regular contact with the family throughout the week and they have passed on their gratitude to the team for the way they responded and the immediate medical care they provided.
"Our thoughts remain with the family and we would reiterate that they have asked for complete privacy at this very upsetting time".
An eyewitness told the Wiltshire Times that several other children were in the water when the child was taken ill.
They said: "It was reported to us that sadly a child had passed away and there had been some very intense resuscitation attempts by staff.
"With three children using the water park everyone was very upset and anxious about the pool area."
A South West Ambulance spokesperson told Sky News: "We were called at 3.39pm on Saturday 18 August and attended with two rapid response vehicles - an ambulance and air ambulance."
Center Parcs opened its first village at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire in July 1987 and now has five villages across the UK and one in Ireland.
Each village is set within around 400 acres of natural woodland and has a "subtropical swimming paradise", according to its website.