Inquiry into five-year-old’s drowning underway at Lethbridge courthouse

 The death of a little boy who drowned at a Lethbridge water park was at the centre of discussion in a Lethbridge courtroom Monday.

Five-year-old Maddox Yellow Wings was found unresponsive at the Ramada Inn pool on September 6th, 2010 where he had been swimming during a family member’s birthday party.

A fatality inquiry into the little boy’s death began December 13th and expected to run until the 18th in order to determine any recommendations to prevent a similar death in the future.

The two lead investigators into Maddox’s drowning spoke at the in inquiry Monday.

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From their account, Maddox was last seen swimming in the kiddie pool by family members before he disappeared.

The young child did not know how to swim and wasn’t wearing a life jacket.

Officers say family members searched the pool area, locker rooms and hotel lobby before two life guards found Maddox unresponsive in the pool.

They pulled him from the water but despite paramedic efforts were unable to revive the little boy.

Officers say their investigation concluded there was no mechanical malfunctions with the pool that could have contributed to the death and no reason to suspect foul play.

They also said they had examined what they called the “murkiness” of the water to determine if it had played a role in Maddox’s death.

Recommendations heard by the officer’s included the importance of adult supervision in water parks as well as the potential availability of life jackets or floatation devices.

The two lifeguards who pulled Maddox from the water as well as the current pool manager are expected to speak at the inquiry Tuesday.