Child pulled out to sea through opening in seawall

People have been told to avoid a seawater pool after a "serious safety incident" that resulted in a child being swept out to sea.

The child was pulled through an opening in the seawall of the Victoria Marine Lake, at West Park, and swept into the sea on 21 June, the Government of Jersey said.

They were rescued and, after treatment at the emergency department, sent home with minor injuries.

The government warned people not to swim in, enter, or walk around the marine lake after the serious incident, which "highlighted the dangers posed by the deteriorating condition of the structure". People were also asked to closely supervise children in the area.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf, minister for Infrastructure, said: "We are extremely fortunate that this serious incident did not result in a tragedy.

"While the child involved thankfully escaped with minor injuries, under different circumstances, the outcome could have been far more serious, and potentially fatal."

He added the safety of islanders and visitors was the first and immediate priority.

He said: "We are reinforcing existing safety warnings and urgently assessing further measures to reduce the risks posed by the current condition of the Marine Lake.

"I am asking everyone to follow the safety advice and stay out of the Marine Lake at West Park while this work is undertaken."

Infrastructure officers carried out a further assessment of the site and were putting in measures to reduce risk, which included more warning signs and consideration of additional physical barriers and engineering interventions, the government said.

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