• Sweden edition
National

Grandmother drowns trying to save grandson

Published: 27 May 12 10:39 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41066/20120527/

A 68-year-old woman drowned on Saturday while trying to save her two grandsons who had strayed too far from a beach in southern Stockholm.

The boys, aged 7 and 9-years-old, were swimming in the sunshine at Sätra beach in southern Stockholm when they ran into trouble.

Their grandmother was keeping an eye on them from the beach and jumped in the water at around 3pm when she saw that they needed help.

"There was a grandmother who was there swimming with her grandchildren. Something went wrong and she went in to save the children, but died herself," said Towe Hägg at Stockholm police.

According to witness reports, the woman managed to pull one of her grandchildren to safety on the beach.

The second child, aged 7, was dragged from the water by other swimmers, but the 68-year-old remained in the water and despite attempts to save her life she died.

The 7-year-old was rushed to Astrid Lindgren's children's hospital in Solna in an ambulance but later died from his injuries.

"The boy was put in a respirator during the night but it wasn't possible to save him," said Linda Feldt at Stockholm police to the Aftonbladet daily.

The newspaper reported that the beach was busy at the time and many people were left shocked by the events.

The police are treating the incident as a tragic accident and don't suspect that any crime has been committed.

TT/The Local/pvs (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

13:43 May 27, 2012 by Svensksmith
She went out as a hero.
15:16 May 27, 2012 by proteasome
"The newspaper reported that the beach was busy at the time and many people were left shocked by the events."

Instead of being shocked why were they not helping? It seems she managed to reach one grandson. I doubt she was the fastest swimmer on the beach to reach the second. I have wished that beaches in Sweden had life guards on the crowded beaches. It is a good summer job for teenagers and a worthy investment from the local communities.
16:29 May 27, 2012 by strixy
If there were so many people why noone helped? A Polish man jumped off a ferry in Sarpsborg in Norway to save a Norwegian boy (2 years old). During the Breivik massacre it was tourists from abroad who helped the most. What is wrong with Scandinavians?
21:41 May 27, 2012 by dizzymoe33
I agree about hiring some lifeguards during the Summer months. It is just so sad that two people had to die because no one would go into the water and help the woman out. Sad so very sad!
00:35 May 28, 2012 by Trenatos
She died a heros death, and will be remembered.
06:55 May 28, 2012 by gpafledthis
Grannie goes direct to the Hall of Heros !!
08:35 May 28, 2012 by robban70226
vERY sad, sHOCKING tragic accident !!!!!!
13:24 May 28, 2012 by strixy
@ barock and roll

How selfish tot hink like that! Maybe they should spare a thought that not everyone is in the position to ask for help, especially while having their mouth filled with water! If you see a child drowning, do you really wait for it to say 'excuse me, would you be so kind as to offer me some assistance in freeing myself from this predicament'? I don't think so!
20:32 May 28, 2012 by Trenatos
@Strixy & Barock and Roll, you should look into something called "The bystander effect".

In essence, it states that the more people are present, the less likely it is that one of them will help without being prompted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

Also, people did help. Just not from the start. This implies that people may not have realized that there was a problem right away, but when they did, they did what they could to help.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push

Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find job, new figures show, leading observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »

Assange extradition fight
Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser

One of the women who has accused Julian Assange of sex crimes has called on the Swedish government to increase pressure on Ecuador to hand over the WikiLeaks-founder to authorities in Sweden. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the northwest district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »

Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years

Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four thieves who used internet dating sites to find victims who they then robbed after drugging them with a concoction of sedatives and psychosis drugs were sentenced to prison on Wednesday by a Swedish court. READ () »

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

A Swedish man has been left facing death after his doctor went on holiday, leaving a cancer diagnosis stranded in the computer system while the increasingly desperate patient fought for help elsewhere. READ () »

More National

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
La Neta
OPINION »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Scenes from the Arctic Council meeting, Eurovision demonstrations, and Stockholm nightlife
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Janerik Henriksson/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision - Centre State: 'It won't be easy to win again': Robin Stjernberg
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Juanma Perez Rabasco
SOCIETY »
Swedish kids start daycare earlier: report
Facebook
SOCIETY »
'Sex scandal' minister bathes in viral toilet puppy love
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Illegal apartment rentals thrive in Stockholm flat crunch
Ben Grey/Flickr
SCIENCE & TECH »
Sweden 'second best' place to become a mum
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?
Dixie Thomas Hughes
SPONSORED ARTICLE
US expat David V. Hughes on determination and discovery by design

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

21 May 21:34

WEEK 21 »

"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »

Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE