2-year-old drowns in country club pool on Father’s Day, South Carolina coroner says
A 2-year-old child drowned at a South Carolina country club on Father’s Day, officials said.
The boy was found “unresponsive” in a swimming pool Sunday, June 18. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office.
Officials said the child was discovered at about 4 p.m. at The Club at Pine Forest in Summerville. While the country club didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ requests for comment June 21, its website said it offers family-friendly water activities and has “pool attendants” on duty in the warmer months.
The deceased child was identified in a news release as Henry L. Moody, a Summerville resident.
The S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — which reportedly joined the coroner’s office in investigating the case — didn’t immediately share additional details with McClatchy News on June 21. Also investigating was the Summerville Police Department, which directed McClatchy News to the coroner’s office release.
Summerville is roughly 25 miles northwest of Charleston.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 3:17 PM with the headline "2-year-old drowns in country club pool on Father’s Day, South Carolina coroner says."
