Three Kids of Omani Family Drown in Naseem Park Lake (25/8/2002) A weekend family outing to the popular Naseem Gardens in the Wilayat of Barka turned into a tragedy when three children of an Omani family drowned in an artificial lake within the sprawling park late on Friday afternoon.
The victims – three brothers aged 8, 11 and 12 – where brought out dead by rescuers who were visiting the park at the time. Royal Oman Police personnel took them to the Barka Health Centre where doctors pronounce them dead, it is learnt.
According to ROP investigating officials, the incident occurred around 3 pm on Friday. The children had apparently strayed from where the parents were camping and wandered off in the direction of the lake. A witness told police that he saw from a distance the youngest child falling into the lake. Soon, the older siblings jumped in as well in an attempt to rescue the younger brother.
However, by the time the witness could raise the alarm and summon help, the children were already in the middle of the lake thrashing about frantically in the water. Rescuers who jumped in could do little but bring back the limp bodies of the three children, it was reported.
Although the depth of the lake is barely 30 cm along the edge, it gradually drops to about 2.5 meters towards the centre. Officials surmise that the steep embankment around the lake may have hastened the victims’ family – all residents of the Wilayat of Suwaiq – was camped out at the eastern edge of the Naseem Gardens when the mishap occurred. They were part of a larger group of families and friends visiting the park on a weekend excursion.
Police faulted the parents for not keeping a close tab on their children. An official drew attention to the numerous notices posted at the entrance and all around the park, warning parents of the need to closely monitor young children especially around the lake and the electrical installations within the facility. The signs also urge caution when visiting the park’s animals.
Hundreds of people usually visit the park on weekends, driving in from Muscat Governorate or from the Interior or the Batinah region. But given the size of the park, visitors are spread thinly across the sprawling gardens.
Besides, fewer people are likely to have been around at noon on Friday when the tragedy happened, in view of the strong mid-day heat.
