A BAHRAINI toddler was dramatically rescued after nearly drowning in a large drainage hole that was filled with up to two metres of water.
The two-year-old was with his four-year-old brother outside their grandfather’s home in Al Sayah Housing Town in Busaiteen when they wandered off as the adults were busy bidding farewell to a family member.
They entered a section of the town that has water channels leading to large drainage holes, parts of which have damaged fences, and as the boys were playing the two-year-old fell inside.
The family was alerted to the incident when the four-year-old rushed back, prompting a Saudi relative to jump inside the water-filled hole, rescue the boy and resuscitate him using CPR at the scene.
The boy, only identified as Abdulla, was taken to the King Hamad University Hospital at around 12.15pm, where he was kept under observation.
The boy’s grandfather, who spoke to the GDN on the condition of anonymity, said his grandchildren were in his care when the incident happened as their parents were at work.
He said he lost track of the two children for a moment as he was helping his daughter and her Saudi husband carry belongings to the car.
“Suddenly, the four-year-old came running with the news,” he said.
“It is good he didn’t jump in to the three-metre hole, which was two-thirds filled with water, or else we would have lost two.
“The heroic acts of my Saudi relative who jumped in and gave my grandson CPR is the reason he is alive now.”
Area councillor Waheed Al Mannai told the GDN that the boys found their way into the restricted section of the town because the damaged border fence and door were never repaired.
“I have repeatedly warned that a disaster would happen if the nine rain drainage holes in Al Sayah Housing Town are not properly secured or filled with sand to be replaced with tankers,” he said.
Mr Al Mannai
“Those massive holes were made as a temporary solution for the rain when residents moved there in 2012 and should have been removed a year later, instead they were simply fenced off.
“Due to heavy winds in the area, which is basically on vast reclaimed land, the fencing has been destroyed and doors have been detached and I have asked for them to be fixed when I was elected in December 2018, but nothing was done.
“The sad incident that occurred could have turned into a tragedy without the heroic involvement of the Saudi relative.
“It happened due to negligence from government officials and I hold them responsible.”
Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf has directed officials to inspect the site after video footage went viral yesterday in which MP Hamad Al Kooheji highlighted the near-drowning.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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