A one-year-old boy died after accidentally falling into a nearly three-foot-deep water-filled pit while playing at a nursery in Araiyanwala village, Yamunanagar.
Toddler falls into nearly three-foot-deep pit while playing; family rushes him to hospital, but doctors declare him dead
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
A one-year-old boy died after drowning in a water-filled pit at a nursery in Araiyanwala village in the Pratap Nagar area of Yamunanagar district on Thursday. The tragic incident occurred while the child was playing inside the nursery premises, where his family lived and worked.
The deceased has been identified as one-year-old Siddhant, son of Shiv. The family originally belongs to Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh and had been living at a nursery in Araiyanwala village in connection with their work.
According to the family, Siddhant was the youngest of three children. His father Shiv said he lived at the nursery premises with his wife and three children and worked there. On Thursday afternoon, he was engaged in work at the nursery while his wife was washing clothes. During this time, Siddhant was playing nearby.
The child reportedly moved towards a water-filled pit located within the nursery premises and accidentally fell into it. The pit was around three feet deep and contained water. As the child was not immediately noticed by the family, some time passed before they realised that he was missing.
When Siddhant could not be found, his family members began searching the nursery premises and surrounding area. During the search, they discovered the child in the water-filled pit. The family immediately pulled him out and his father rushed him to a hospital, carrying the child wrapped in a piece of cloth.
However, doctors examined the toddler and declared him dead. The sudden death of the one-year-old left the family devastated, with relatives and others at the nursery struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
The incident was subsequently reported to the police. Police personnel reached the hospital after receiving information about the death and took the child’s body into custody as part of the necessary legal procedure. The body was later shifted to the mortuary of the Civil Hospital.
A post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday. After completion of the required formalities, police handed over the body to the family for the last rites.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in premises where open or water-filled pits are present. For families living and working at nurseries, farms and other such locations, young children can be particularly vulnerable when adults are occupied with work and potentially hazardous areas are left accessible.
The family said the child was playing inside the nursery premises when he reached the pit. There was no indication that he had deliberately entered the water. The tragedy unfolded within a short period, leaving the family with little opportunity to respond before the child was found.
Shiv said that he had been working at the nursery when the incident took place. His wife was also occupied with household work at the time. The child, meanwhile, was playing nearby. When the family realised that Siddhant was no longer visible, they immediately began looking for him.
The search ended with the discovery of the toddler in the water-filled pit. His father took him to the hospital in the hope of saving his life, but doctors could not revive him.
The death has left the family particularly distressed as Siddhant was the youngest of the three children. The loss of a child at such a young age has plunged the family into mourning.
Police have initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials are examining the facts related to the accident and carrying out the required legal formalities. No further details regarding any negligence or other aspect of the incident have been established at this stage.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by uncovered water-filled pits and other potentially dangerous spots in areas where children live or play. Young children may not be able to recognise such hazards, making supervision and proper protection of open pits particularly important.
For the family, however, the incident has resulted in an irreparable loss. What began as an ordinary Thursday afternoon at the nursery turned into a devastating tragedy within a short span of time. The family is now preparing to perform the last rites of the youngest member of the household.
Police said the investigation into the matter is continuing and further action will be taken as required on the basis of the findings.
