Police said a 63-year-old woman died after collapsing in the water at Tin Sau Road Swimming Pool in Tin Shui Wai on October 2. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said she had been taking a private swimming-club lesson in the indoor training pool.
Lifeguards and other swimmers rescued her, and a lifeguard gave first aid before an ambulance took her to Tin Shui Wai Hospital. Police said a lifeguard reported the incident at 10.09am.
During the lesson, she was practising freestyle in the indoor training pool when she felt unwell, swam towards the pool edge and collapsed in the water.
The Hong Kong Government Lifeguards General Union said the district had faced continuing staffing pressure and that it had received dozens of complaints from members in recent years, mainly about how guidance was applied when lifeguards left their posts and about strained relations with supervisors. Its chairman warned against condemning lifeguards before the investigation is complete. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said it was conducting a detailed investigation.