Two coaches to be referred to prosecutors over accident in which 5-year-old boy drowned in pool in 2023

In Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, police intend to refer two coaches to prosecutors in connection with the April 2023 drowning death of a five-year-old boy in a fitness center’s swimming pool.

The incident happened on April 22, 2023, at approximately 4:50 p.m. According to NHK, the boy, Karatani Takuto Kasatani, was discovered submerged in the pool at a depth of around 120 cm while taking a swimming lesson at the Opus Fitness Club Takaoka. He was declared dead at the hospital after being brought there in a state of cardiac arrest.

The boy was seen plunging into the pool on surveillance camera footage, but he did not come up. When he was discovered, the float that the boy had been wearing had fallen off.

The children’s swimming lesson had nineteen participants. One of the four coaches was in the water, and the other two were by the pool. It was reported that the other was alternating between the office and the pool.

Due to their failure to supervise the children and their poor safety management, the police intend to report the two coaches who were closest to the boy for professional negligence.