A community in northern Victoria is mourning the tragic loss of an eight-year-old boy who drowned in a swimming pool at a display home on Sunday evening.
A Family's Unimaginable Loss
Gurshabad Singh, who was just two weeks away from celebrating his ninth birthday, was found unresponsive in the pool at a property located in Kialla, near Shepparton. The incident occurred shortly before 7pm.
Despite receiving immediate medical assistance at the scene, the young boy could not be revived.
Gurshabad's father, Talwinder Singh, shared that his son was autistic and had simply jumped into the pool. "It is an example how quick the kids can go in," he told the ABC, highlighting the sudden nature of the tragedy.
Father's Plea and Company's Response
The pool was located at a G.J. Gardner Homes display home within the Sevens Creek Estate. In the wake of the incident, Talwinder Singh has publicly questioned the safety measures, specifically the absence of a pool cover.
"Just cover the bloody pool so the kids can't see, they can't go in," he urged. "The kids are attracted to the water. Cover the pools, that's all. That's what I want."
In an official statement, a spokesperson for G.J. Gardner Homes expressed that the company was "devastated about the tragedy" and offered its deepest condolences to Gurshabad's family and loved ones.
The company asserted that fencing was in place around the pool and that it "was in compliance with all pool safety regulations." They have pledged full cooperation with the authorities investigating the incident and are providing support to their distressed staff in Shepparton.
Community and Safety Reflections
This heartbreaking event has cast a spotlight on pool safety, particularly in unoccupied or display properties where children might be present. It raises critical questions for homeowners and building companies about implementing additional layers of protection beyond mandatory fencing.
The investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding the drowning is ongoing as the local community grapples with the loss of a young life.
