Swimming lessons tragic in Montreal: the youth’s family holds out hope

Benoît Philie

Friday, 16 February 2018 20:10

UPDATE
Friday, 16 February 2018 20:10

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The family of the 14-year-old found unconscious at the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal on Thursday, kept a hope of seeing its condition improve by Friday.

Blessing Moukoko, a student of second high school, was rushed to the hospital after having spent long minutes under the water during a swimming lesson at the swimming pool at the centre Père-Marquette, in the neighbourhood of Rosemont.

According to his uncle, Romeo Moukoko, the young lay still in a critical state Friday.

“We had bad news from the doctor. He is still unconscious, but we are going to stay with him until the end. We have hope, ” he said.

A dozen members of the family, including several brothers of the young boy, had gathered at the hospital in the late afternoon, consumed by anxiety.

One of his brothers has indicated to the Journal that you have no idea what that could be leading to the incident of Thursday morning. The family is still waiting for an explanation.

No explanation

According to our information, the student at école secondaire Père-Marquette took a course of swimming in the company of a twenty comrades to 9 h. A teacher and a lifeguard were on-site.

After the course, they would have all left the scene without noticing that the young man was missing.

Blessing Moukoko would have remained about 20 minutes under the water before someone noticed his body.

It seems that the reflections in the water restricted the view of the deep part of the pool.

The paramedics were called on the spot and tried to revive the teenager.

The police Department of the City of Montreal considers that it is not a criminal act and has not opened an investigation. It should be conducted by the coroner.

The swimming pool at the centre Père-Marquette is closed until further notice.

Under the shock

On their side, close friends of Blessing Moukoko were very worried of his condition. They describe it as a great sports fan of basketball. He is highly respected by his peers and has a great sense of humor.

According to them, several of their peers in their school are in shock since the incident.

The Commission scolaire de Montréal has deployed a group psychological intervention for the students and staff of the high school-Father Marquette.

— With the collaboration of Maxime Deland, QMI Agency and Vincent Larin