A DROWNING boy was rushed to hospital after being dramatically rescued from the pool at Waterworld.

The child was resuscitated by swift-acting lifeguards, who were praised by bosses at the Staffordshire attraction for "avoiding a tragedy".

The boy was seen drowning at Waterworld in Festival Park on Sunday afternoon.

Eye-witnesses told StokeonTrentLive that at about 3.30pm, staff leapt into action after emergency alarms were sounded.

A woman described seeing four employees "running from the reception through to the main area in front of the café.

"A boy was pulled out. It was terrifying, we were only about two metres away. They then started carrying out CPR."

They were helped by two off-duty paramedics, according to an ambulance spokesman.

The boy was reported to be "alert and breathing" upon arrival at hospital moments after his dramatic rescue.

Waterworld's compliance manager, Wayne Goodall, later told the Sentinel that when the boy was seen drowning, "our lifeguards swung into action and their specialist training kicked in.

"They successfully rescued and resuscitated the child before the emergency services arrived."

A boy was pulled out of the water. It was terrifying.

He praised their "swift actions", adding that "a tragedy was avoided that day".

Goodall also thanked visitors – including off-duty paramedics – who immediately joined the rescue.

He said Waterworld was "grateful" they had supported the lifeguards.

A spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Two ambulances, a paramedic officer and an emergency doctor were sent to the scene.

"On arrival ambulance staff found two off-duty paramedics who were assisting lifeguards who had pulled a young boy from the water.

"He was treated at the scene before being taken on blue lights to Royal Stoke University Hospital where medics were waiting.

"On arrival at hospital, the child was alert and breathing."

On Facebook, people have praised the lifeguards and off-duty "heroes".

Lorna Taylor wrote: "Yes, the place was packed, but the lifeguards could not have responded quicker, they were amazing and ultimately they saved the boy's life."

Anthony Graham commented: "Well done to everyone involved in saving the child's life."

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