Boy drowned in school pool

Muhammad Baber

A verdict of accidental death has been recorded by a coroner after a 12-year-old boy died in a school swimming pool.

Muhammad Baber died at Eastborune District General Hospital after getting into difficulty at an activity centre on the Sussex coast.

He was part of a group from Pakistan staying at Newlands School in Seaford for an educational holiday.

In a statement, school director Malcolm Payton said:

"Our thoughts at Newlands School are with the family of Talha Baber, who died so tragically as a result of an accident in the swimming pool at our school on 1 July 2011, despite the efforts of the lifeguard and paramedics to save him. On behalf of the school we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

_The management and staff at Newlands School were deeply shocked by this incident, the likes of which has never happened before at our school. Since the accident the school has provided all assistance it can to the coroner's office, the police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in their investigations. _

_We note and accept the findings of the coroner that this was an accidental death. _

It would not be appropriate for us to comment further on today’s inquest, save to reiterate once again that our thoughts and prayers are with Talha's family and friends."