Drama in Eure, a 3 year old girl drowned at the leisure center
Tuesday, August 19, the relaxation afternoon turned to the nightmare in Val-de-Reuil, in Eure. A 3-year-old girl drowned at the Léry-Poses leisure center. Around 6:30 p.m., the family alerted the rescue post of the lagoon of the disappearance of the girl, after Valérie Petit, director of the leisure center. The rescuers contacted the gendarmerie, who benefits from reservists on the spot during the summer. The searches started immediately, first on earth, then in the water about 30 minutes later. Tragically, about an hour later, the body of the girl, residing in Vernon was discovered in the water.
This death is added to a series of summer tragedies. The previous week, three autistic children had lost their lives in drowning in Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne and Allier. A brutal reminder that these dramas can strike everywhere, and in an instant.
Why constant monitoring is vital around the water
A childhood drowning occurs in a few seconds, often in total silence. Even a shallow depth is enough: less than 30 centimeters of water and less than a minute can be fatal. This is why specialists recall that swimming should never be done without the active presence of an adult.
Here are some reflexes to adopt to reduce the risks:
- Never leave a young child aloneeven for a short duration;
- Install toddlers in a secure space (park, deckchair) when they are close to a body of water;
- Find out of the possible presence of swimming pools or basins in the nearby environment;
- Educate children from an early age to the dangers of water and set clear rules;
- Remove the floating toys After each swim so as not to attract the child to the water;
- Always designate an adult responsible for surveillanceespecially in the presence of several people;
- Hold a pole, a buoy and a phone to act quickly in an emergency;
- Introduce children to swimming from 5 or 6 years old.
These simple measures can save lives, provided they are applied tirelessly.
The gestures that save in front of a drowning
If a child falls into the water, the reactivity is decisive. The first step is to take out the victim as quickly as possible and then apply the suitable gestures according to his condition.
- If the child is aware and breathes: Dry it, wrap it in a blanket and consult a doctor;
- If he is unconscious and breathes difficulty: Lie it on the belly, exert several pressures on the chest and lower back to evacuate the water, then practice artificial breathing while waiting for help;
- If the victim no longer breathes: Immediately start an external heart massage.
These gestures can make the difference before the arrival of the Samu or the firefighters. And vigilance must remain maximum all summer: between June 1 and July 23, 2025, 193 deaths by drowning were identified in France and overseas, an increase of 45 % compared to 2024.
To find out more, read our article on anti-noyad reflexes.