14yo KK Boy Tragically Drowns During School Swimming Lesson, Grieving Father Wants Answers

Earlier this week on Wednesday morning (13th February), 14-year-old Nicholas Chong Zhen Yi drowned during a school swimming lesson at the Likas Sports Complex in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

According to The Star, the young boy arrived at the sports complex with his friends and teachers at 11.15am that morning. However, he was later found in the 5-metre pool unresponsive not long after that.

Source: the star

After being rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Nicholas was pronounced dead at 12.38pm later that day.

The boy was then sent for an autopsy to determine his cause of death.

Meanwhile, Nicholas’ father spoke to the daily, stating that he wanted to know what exactly happened to his son. The boy’s father added that Nicholas took swimming lessons when he was 9 years old, but had not swum since then. He believes Nicholas couldn’t swim, adding that this recent swimming lesson was only his second class with his school, and he previously swam in a shallower pool. The father was quoted as saying,

“I didn’t even know they were using the pool in Likas. Did they know if the children were capable of swimming in a pool used for professional swimmers?”

Source: wikimedia commons

He added that according to what his son’s classmates told him, they were shouting for help when they saw Nicholas struggling in the pool, but the instructor was in another pool far away from them. He speculates that the instructor might have thought they were just playing around but insisted that it was not right to assume so. Nicholas’ father went on to say,

“I am not blaming anyone. I just want to know what happened on that day. I’ve heard so much from his classmates, I believe he could have been saved.”

“I want answers. I cannot let it happen again. I don’t want this to happen to anyone’s son or daughter.”

Source: the star

Nicholas’ funeral was just held earlier today (15th February) as the police are currently waiting for a toxicology report to assist with investigations.

Our thoughts go out to Nicholas’ family and friends and hope they have the strength to endure this difficult time. We also hope the authorities take steps to ensure that such a tragedy never repeats itself. 

Also read: Man Drowns While Trying to Save Family of 5 After Car Plunged into Terengganu River