Police: 4-Year-Old Boy Nearly Drowns at Summer Camp

Authorities in Massachusetts say a 4-year-old boy nearly drowned while attending a summer camp on Wednesday morning.

Acton police say they got the call for a possible drowning just before 11:30 a.m. at TeamWorks at 30 Great Rd.

A lifeguard acted quickly to rescue the child from Acton. First responders were able to revive him.

The boy was crying, conscious and breathing on his own while being taken to Boston Children's Hospital, according to police.

"The initial prognosis seemed pretty grim," said Michael Killeen of Acton Fire. "By the time we got to Children's Hospital, he was moving around, he was crying. He was much better than we found him."

Still, the situation was serious. The boy had been underwater for about a minute. Officials say if it was not for that lifeguard, the boy easily could have died.

"The lifeguard did a great job, actually, in getting him out of the pool, recognizing the situation and calling 911" said Acton Fire Lt. Anita Arnum.

The accident happened during a free swim while eight to 10 children were in the water. Witnesses say the boy had been swimming and did not fall into the pool.

Police confirm health officials are investigating whether TeamWorks was licensed to use the pool or the facility.

"In every year that we have operated the summer camp, the town Board of Health would verbally advise us that we were authorized and approved to operate, and in every year, the verbal approval was followed up several weeks later, after the summer camp had started, with a written letter of permit. This year was no different," TeamWorks responded in a statement. "We were advised by the Town Board of Health that we were approved to operate the summer camp on June 11th, 2015, via email by Sheryl Ball from the Town Board of Health. As has been the case in every prior year, we have not yet received the usual follow-up written permit from the Board. We know of absolutely no reason for the Town Board of Health to suggest that we were not fully licensed to operate the summer camp. We were given the same verbal approval by the Town that we have been given each and every prior year."

Contact Us