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Father and son in drowning accident

Published: 13 May 12 09:44 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/40800/20120513/

The father died, but his three year-old son survived the ordeal, when their little inflatable dinghy capsized in the middle of a lake in western Sweden on Saturday afternoon.

“This is inexplicable and tragic,” Manne Björnsson, head of Viaredssjön’s sailing society and a friend of the family, said to local newspaper Borås Tidning.

The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Viaredssjön, a lake by Sandared in south-western Sweden.

Emergency services received an alarm call at 2.43pm, about a man and a boy floating in the water.

The little boy managed to get to shore on his own, but his father was still lying some 80 metres out in the water when emergency services showed up.

CPR was immediately performed on the man, who was then taken to Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg by ambulance helicopter. Still, his life could not be saved.

The water in the lake is still very cold.

“I don’t know exactly, but it’s no more than seven or eight degrees,” said the emergency services’ Thomas Gunnarsson to Borås Tidning.

How the accident occurred remains a mystery. The man and his son headed out in their dinghy, both wearing life jackets.

The deceased man was also a competent sailor, explains Manne Björnsson, and even a leader of the lake’s sailing society.

“The boat must’ve turned over somehow. It’s completely inexplicable. I don’t understand anything.”

The Borås police force is also unsure of how the accident occurred, but don’t suspect that any crime has been committed.

“This is a tragic accident,” said police officer Johan Novenius.

TT/Clara Guibourg (news@thelocal.se)

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21:22 May 13, 2012 by J Jack
I think the use of the word inexplicable is a bit much. Very sad event, The water is still very cold and the small infant is very lucky.
21:44 May 13, 2012 by dizzymoe33
Such a sad tragedy! This time of year there are so many boating accidents and/or drownings. I am glad to hear they were both wearing life jackets but I suspect that due to the cold waters he suffered from hypothermia?
02:11 May 14, 2012 by Da Goat
Yep and I was thinking that maybe the cold water might have saved the smaller person, but maybe not,......strange how the youngster managed the swim but Dad did not. quite sad really!

I mean maybe the child went into torpor and floated to shore but the father did not chill as fast and hypothermia got him!
11:54 May 14, 2012 by rlarsonvt
The father was an exceptional athelete and father, his wife was our aurpair many years ago and our 22 year old son visited with them last year at this time. The miracle is that somehow he helped his son get to shore, it is a tradegy as he was a wonderful human being and will be missed. In this time of pain and absolute horror we find the joy in the life that wasn't lost, but our hearts are so heavy. Life is so precious hug those you love and say the words "I love you"!

The Larson Family, Vermont, USA
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