Parents of boy who drowned at UK holiday park blame low lighting for not seeing him struggle
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: CornwallLive/BPM
The parents of a boy who drowned at a UK holiday park have blamed low lighting for not seeing him struggle in the water.
Ferzane and Cemal Caliskan, from Plymouth, took their two sons - five-year-old Robin and six-month-old Renas - to the Atlantic Reach holiday park in Newquay, Cornwall, on 31 July.
After arriving at the park, the family pitched their tent and headed to the pool.
Cemal explained how Robin initially had joined him in the resort's main pool, but then decided he wanted to go to the baby pool to spend time with his mum and baby brother.
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However, on his way over to the other pool, the five-year-old got into difficulty in the water.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) said it was called to the site at 5.06pm on Monday 31 July.
“We sent a double-crewed land ambulance, an operations officer, a critical care car, a rapid response vehicle and a tactical commander,” a statement said.
However, Robin sadly died, with Devon and Cornwall Police confirming they are investigating the incident.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a child at a holiday park in Newquay,” a spokesperson said.
“Police were informed by the ambulance service that a five-year-old boy had drowned in a swimming pool within Atlantic Reach Holiday Park, yesterday afternoon.
“The boy is from the Plymouth area and his next of kin are aware, the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is to be prepared for the coroner.
“Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police along with representatives from Cornwall Council Health and Safety are undertaking enquiries in relation to the circumstances surrounding this death.”
Grieving dad Cemal said his boy got into trouble a short time after heading over to the kids’ pool to mum Ferzane, but told Cornwall Live that ‘low lighting’ and ‘barriers’ meant he and his wife didn’t immediately notice Robin struggling.
"I want every parent to see this story, this can’t happen again,” Cemal said.
“We are suffering pain and we don’t want any parents to have a similar feeling.
“We just wanted to share this to stop it happening again, to any other parents and any other children.”
In a post to Facebook, Atlantic Reach said it is 'absolutely heartbroken' over the incident.
The statement continued: "We do not feel it is appropriate to comment further at this stage, except to say our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time.
"Atlantic Reach is committed to supporting our guests and community, as well as our team that provided immediate assistance.
"As such we respectfully ask that all those affected are given time and space at this distressing time."
Tyla has contacted Atlantic Reach and Devon and Cornwall Police for comment.