Schoolboy, 11, drowned in lagoon while lifeguard ‘tried to find his goggles’


Jake Taylor was pulled out of a lake in La Croix Du Vieux Pont campsite in northern France before a paramedic gave him CPR for half an hour, an inquest at Hull Coroners’ Court heard

Jake Taylor drowned in a lagoon in northern France
Jake Taylor drowned in a lagoon in northern France

A boy drowned in a lagoon while a lifeguard looked for his goggles, an inquest heard.

Jake Taylor died in a Paris hospital after slipping beneath the water in a busy swimming lagoon at the La Croix Du Vieux Pont campsite in northern France on August 22, 2019.

The boy, from Kingston upon Hull, had been on holiday with his parents and four brothers at the time, Hull Daily Mail reported.

The inquest heard from Rebecca Wilson who is a paramedic and was on holiday at the campsite when Jake, 11, got into trouble.

She was told of an incident on the beach at around 6pm on August 22, 2019, the inquest heard.

The swimming lake where Jake drowned
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Ms Wilson saw people given the 11-year-old CPR and offered assistance.

“I spoke to his mum who said Jake had been missing for five minutes and had pleaded with the lifeguard to look for Jake but seemed reluctant to,” she told Hull Coroners’ Court.

“She said he was more concerned with trying to find his goggles.

“It was a group of teenagers who managed to pull Jake out and when I arrived there was no lifeguard present.

“I began chest compressions. I knew he needed further treatment but there was no medical equipment available at that point.

Jake with his dad Lance
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“After 30 minutes an anaesthetist turned up and I told him my concerns. Then police and medics arrived and I was ushered away.”

A criminal investigation into Jake’s death was led by the French Gendarmerie which confirmed no criminal proceedings would be pursued against any involved parties.

Senior coroner Prof Paul Marks said: “The lifeguard’s explanation was that he needed his goggles to be able to see underwater but also felt it was difficult to search for Jake because there were so many clients in the water.”

The pathologist found Jake had died due to drowning and medical records showed he had no underlying health conditions.

Prof Marks praised Ms Wilson for her attempts to save Jake.

He said: “The actions of Rebecca Wilson are worthy of special mention.

Jake (right) with his family at Disneyland Paris the day before he died
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“She perceived the young man was in trouble and used all her skills and expertise to save his life. But she was frustrated by the lack of equipment and difficulties in liaising with French staff on hand.

“I would like to commend her for her actions and her attempts to save Jake’s life.”

A heartbreaking statement was read out from Jake’s parents Lance and Hannah Taylor.

It said: “Where do we start with writing a character reference for the most caring and loving son. He had a heart of gold and cared about everyone.

“If you were feeling down he would make you smile and give you the most loving hugs. He would not do anything if he thought he might get hurt.

“He had a lot of friends at school and the teachers loved him. Jake enjoyed sports, such as cricket and football, but he enjoyed online gaming the most. He was such a kind hearted young man.”

No family members were present at the inquest, but solicitors said last year they were still seeking answers to exactly what happened.

They have been considering pursuing a civil case with the aim of getting “full and complete” answers as to what led Jake to tragically drown in what should have been a safe environment.

Solicitor Paul McClorry, of Hudgell Solicitors, last year said there were many unanswered questions as to why no one was able to act quickly enough to save Jake, and questions surrounding the depth of the lagoon.

He said: “Many holidaymakers who have visited the site have raised concerns about the depth of the lagoon in certain areas, both people who were there at the same time as Jake’s family and people who had visited previously.

“They were of the opinion that parts of the lagoon were deeper than the 1.8m advertised, so that of course is an area which we feel needs further clarity.”

His mum Hannah Taylor previously said her and husband Lance had given their lawyers permission to press for more answers.

She previously told Hull Live: “What it comes down to is that no one will get charged, but our solicitor can push for more to get the pool properly investigated.

Jake was described as a “king hearted young man”
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“We will fight for Jake. We believe the lagoon was too deep and also too busy, it was packed and we feel there were far too many inflatables allowed.

“Apparently they have now reduced the depth from 1.8m to 1.4m and banned inflatables, but for me, that’s still too deep, it should just be for paddling in.”

Initially the lagoon was drained while investigations were carried out, but the swimming area was operating when the campsite reopened for the summer season last year after lockdown.

Mr McClorry added: “Ultimately, as Jake’s family’s legal representatives, we want to ensure they have full answers as to what happened.

“They need those answers, and we all feel they are imperative to ensuring lessons are learned and that, if required, suitable changes are made to prevent another young life being tragically lost.

“We expect to be asking further questions to relevant parties once we have taken further advice.

“This is likely to include requesting copies of all correspondence relating to the lagoon, its operation, maintenance, safety protocols and procedures, and all correspondence between parties in relation to the incident which cost Jake his life.

“Every possible contributory factor has to be considered and we need full and transparent investigations.”

A memorial garden has been created at Eastfield Primary School in memory of Jake.

A tree has also been planted to remember him at Sirius Academy where he was due to start after the summer holidays in 2019.

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George Holan

George Holan is chief editor at Plainsmen Post and has articles published in many notable publications in the last decade.

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