PARENTS of a seven-year-old who died after being found unconscious in a swimming pool at Blackwater Leisure Centre are to sue the company that runs the centre over allegations their negligence caused her death.

Michelle Gellard, from the Isle of Dogs, east London, was found unconscious in the swimming pool at the leisure centre in Maldon - run by Leisure Connection Ltd and owned by Maldon District Council - on June 14 and later died.

Allegations include incomplete and inaccurate information being given to emergency services, who subsequently downgraded the importance of the call, and negligent levels of care and attention which they believe amounts to a negligent response.

Recordings of the two 999 calls have been made available on the internet and her parents, Mark Gellard and Sian Lakey, have sought legal advice from Hodge Jones and Allen Solicitors in London.

Mr Gellard said: “Sian and I are devastated that our beautiful daughter Michelle died as a result of this incident.

“We want to know why the lifeguards at the pool appear not to have noticed that Michelle was drowning despite the fact the pool was not busy at the time.

“We also want to know why the staff at the leisure centre failed to report in the first emergency call that it was a drowning incident and said Michelle was ‘ok’ and ‘conscious’ when in fact she required emergency resuscitation.

“As a result emergency medical help was delayed which may have lost the chance to save her life.

“It is essential that lessons are learned so this does not happen to anyone else.”

An inquest has been opened and adjourned by the coroner for Essex, following a post mortem which stated the cause of death as by immersion, and will be delayed till a full investigation is completed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

A spokesman for Leisure Connection Ltd said: “The family’s claim has been received and has been passed to our lawyers. We have no further comments to make at this stage”.

A spokesman for Maldon District Council said:  "The council is undertaking a thorough investigation into the incident to establish whether there were any breaches of health and safety legislation which could have contributed in any way to the death of Michelle Gellard, and our enquiries are on-going. The council is therefore unable to comment at this time".

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THE parents of seven-year-old Michelle Gellard are calling for a full inquiry into her death.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned while the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigate the incident but Michelle’s parents have requested a full independent investigation.

They are concerned that Maldon District Council, as owners of the pool, may have a conflict of interest by investigating the contractors they appointed to run the Blackwater Leisure Centre.

Peter Todd, partner at Hodge Jones and Allen Solicitors representing Michelle’s parents, said: “Michelle’s parents want a full and independent investigation into this incident carried out.

“We have asked the HSE to review their decision only to investigate the involvement of the council. We would like them also to investigate the involvement of Leisure Connection Ltd.”

Allegations have also been made regarding the state of facilities. Mr Todd said: “How can Maldon District Council conduct a proper investigation if it also may have contributed to what has happened here.”