THE parents of a young boy who almost drowned in a leisure centre swimming pool have told the Cambrian News how they will never forget the incident.

Evan Davies, whose mother Kelly Pearson comes from Aberystwyth, was found “lifeless” under the water at the Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre in Machynlleth by his father, Gryffydd Rhys Davies, who had arrived to pick him up after a swimming lesson.

Swansea Crown Court heard that a lifeguard had left his position overseeing 21 children, and swimming teachers were talking among themselves.

Little Evan, who was four at the time of the incident in November 2014, had to be resuscitated and spent the night in Bronglais Hospital.

It was Mr Davies who spotted his son was in trouble.

Kelly, who is Mr Davies’ fiancée, said the conclusion of the court case, which saw Powys County Council fined £75,000 for breaching health and safety regulations, was a relief for the family. But she and Mr Davies will always remember how close things were to ending in tragedy, and hope lessons will be learnt to prevent further incidents.

“Thankfully Evan doesn’t appear to remember too much of that night, although I have a feeling it’s because he doesn’t realise how serious things could have been,” said Kelly.

“However, his father and I will always remember how close we were to losing our boy that night and how lucky Evan is that my fiancé had the instinct that something wasn’t right.”

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