Lifeguards praised following near drowning in Mangere pool

A 5-year-old boy has been discharged from hospital following an incident at a swimming pool in Mangere. Photo / Greg Bowker

A 5-year-old boy has been discharged from hospital after a near drowning at an Auckland swimming pool on Sunday.

The young boy was discharged from Middlemore Hospital last night following an incident at the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre, in Mangere, shortly before 5.30pm.

Emergency services found the child in a critical condition. CPR was given at the scene before he was taken to Middlemore Hospital for observation.

Witnesses told the Herald they saw two children - a boy and a girl - swimming together not long before one of them was seen lying on the side of the pool.

Lifeguards rushed towards the child and carried out CPR, as members of the public were ushered out of the centre.

Auckland Council's head of active recreation Rob McGee said the boy's family were extremely appreciative of the work of the lifeguards and the team at Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa.

"The council is undertaking a full review of the incident but would like to remind parents and caregivers of the importance of active supervision," he said.

"Keep your children safe by watching them at all times, make sure you are able to provide immediate assistance, and be close enough that they can hear and see your child, and your child can hear and see you."

McGee confirmed the child involved in this incident was being properly supervised by a suitable caregiver at the time.