Pool tragedy teen still in critical condition

The 16-year-old is on life-support after he broke his neck diving into the shallow part of a pool. Photo / Thinkstock

A 16-year-old boy who broke his neck diving into a shallow pool remains in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital.

The Otara teenager was playing in and around the pool with a group of family and friends on Sunday when fun turned to horror.

As his younger brother watched, the 16-year-old dived into the pool. It appears he landed awkwardly in the shallow water and broke his neck.

Senior Sergeant Laurie Culpan said the brother soon realised something was very wrong and that the teenager was not conscious.

"The little brother's run inside to tell mum the young fellow wasn't moving," Mr Culpan told the Herald.

"Mum has then come outside and found him floating face down. She's removed him from the pool and called emergency services, then performed CPR."

Paramedics arrived soon after and were able to resuscitate the teenager. He was taken to Middlemore Hospital.

His injuries are life threatening and there are grave concerns for his health.

Mr Culpan said the incident was tragic.

"He's 16, he's not a kid so it's not a question of supervision or that he was doing anything overly silly. It's just a horrible tragedy.

"As a parent, for me this is absolutely tragic."

Victim Support has been working with the family.

Police said yesterday that the neck injury meant he could not move in the pool, and effectively he had drowned as a result.

Mr Culpan said the pool was about 182cm in diameter and less than a metre deep. It had plastic sides and was quite substantial in size - not a paddling pool.