UPDATE: A tragic incident has claimed the life of 8-year-old Gurshabad Singh, who drowned in the swimming pool of a display home in Kialla, Victoria, just weeks before his ninth birthday. The devastating news broke shortly before 7 PM on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the community and igniting urgent calls for enhanced pool safety measures.
Authorities confirm that Gurshabad, who had autism, wandered away from a nearby family celebration and jumped into the pool unsupervised. His father, Talwinder Singh, recounted the heartbreaking moment when he found his son unresponsive in the water. “He just jumped in,” Singh shared, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent similar tragedies.
In a heartfelt plea, Singh is advocating for mandatory pool coverings at vacant homes to safeguard children. “If the pool had been covered, my son would still be alive,” he stated. The emotional impact of this incident has deeply affected the local community, with neighbors expressing their grief and disbelief.
The company responsible for the display home, G.J Gardner, expressed their devastation over the tragedy. They confirmed that the pool met all safety regulations, including appropriate fencing. However, current Victorian laws mandate that all pools with more than 30 cm of water must have compliant safety barriers, including self-latching and self-closing gates, which are inspected every four years. Despite these regulations, the incident raises serious concerns about their effectiveness in preventing drowning incidents, particularly among young children.
As the community mourns, an official report is being prepared for the coroner, and Gurshabad’s funeral is scheduled to take place in Melbourne. This heartbreaking event has sparked renewed discussions about pool safety and the urgent need for further preventative measures.
Residents are calling for immediate action. “We need to ensure that no other family suffers like this,” a neighbor lamented, highlighting the collective grief experienced by the community. The tragic loss of Gurshabad serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children and the importance of stringent safety measures around water.
As this story develops, the Singh family continues to seek justice and change in honor of their beloved son. The urgency of this situation resonates with many, emphasizing the need for community-wide vigilance and legislative action. Now more than ever, families are urged to prioritize safety and take proactive steps to prevent future tragedies.
