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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Martin Fricker & Matthew Dresch

First picture of boy, 3, who drowned after falling into water park in Thailand

This is the first picture of the 3-year-old British boy who drowned in front of his parents after falling into a pool at a Thai water park.

Bobby Watson was with his parents William and Sumitra, both 35, and his brother Billy, seven, when the tragedy happened.

He slipped and fell into the landing area of a flume ride at Blue Tree Water Park in Phuket and vanished under the surface.

Lifeguards pulled the unconscious youngster out of the water as his parents looked on.

They performed CPR at the poolside before an ambulance arrived but he was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Sumitra told police she was watching her older son playing in the water when Bobby slipped and fell on Sunday afternoon.

The boys’ dad William is from Bridport, Dorset, but has worked as a diving instructor in Thailand for many years.

He was unavailable today and there was no answer at the diving centre where he works with his wife. 

Eyewitnesses said the two parents were “crying uncontrollably” after the tragedy at the park, which opened last year.

Local police chief Cpn Yanpatr Malai said: “They could not believe their son was gone.

“There were also many tourists gathered around the pool who were shocked by the incident.”

In a statement the water park said staff were “deeply distressed” and described the incident as a “tragic accident”.

“He stumbled and fell under water after which he was spotted by one of the lifeguards on duty who came to his immediate assistance,” it said.

“His parents are understandably devastated and we continue to offer our support in any way possible.

“We are all deeply upset by this extremely sad incident.”

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