Tragic Fall at Kumla's Djupadalsbadet: Safety Concerns Ignored
An eight-year-old boy fell three meters from the diving tower at Djupadalsbadet in Kumla, sustaining serious injuries. Despite repeated warnings about deficiencies, safety measures were delayed, according to the municipality's own protocols.
– Such an accident should not be possible, says the boy's mother, Emelie Paulsson.
On June 29, Emelie Paulsson's son Lionel fell three meters from a diving tower at Djupadalsbadet in Kumla. The 8-year-old backed up to gain momentum, slipped, and fell off the back of the tower, hitting the concrete.
– His eyes were completely twisted, and he called out to me, but he couldn't see or hear me. I thought I lost my son at that moment. It was a real nightmare, says Emelie Paulsson.
The son spent five days in the hospital. He suffered two fractures at the base of his skull and damaged a nerve on the right side of his face.
Now, three weeks later, he is not allowed to jump or move his head too much. It is also difficult for him to blink with his right eye.
– Doctors say it's incredible that he doesn't have more fractures and that he had a guardian angel, says Emelie Paulsson.
Criticism of Safety
She is critical of the safety at the pool and believes the diving tower should have been closed earlier.
She points to the lack of plexiglass and anti-slip protection and believes the pool should remain closed until the deficiencies are addressed.
– It's unacceptable that they went to the media and said it's so safe. As of now, it's not safe. Sure, accidents can happen, but such an accident should not be possible. Moreover, no one from the municipality has contacted us with information after the accident, which I find strange, she says.
Municipality's Response: New Construction Planned
The municipality closed the pool after the accident and has decided to demolish the tower and build a new one.
– We made the decision because the accident is so serious, and we were already planning to build a new one, says Tim Greneby, head of the leisure department in Kumla municipality.
In an interview with SVT Örebro, the pool's site manager, Patrik Bergman, says the tower is inspected before each season. However, there are no other inspection reports at the municipality than those from 2022 and 2019.
– He probably meant that the staff working at the pool go through the facility every year, says Tim Greneby.
Deficiencies Not Addressed
Several investigations have previously pointed out deficiencies in the safety of the diving tower, but recommendations for improvements and demolition have not been fully followed.
In an inspection report from 2019, it is stated that the diving tower, built in the 60s, lacks safety. The inspection suggests replacing ladders with stairs and railings with plexiglass.
"There is a high risk of slipping and falling with serious injuries as a result," the investigation states.
According to Tim Greneby, the recommendations were not followed then.
Why weren't the deficiencies addressed?
– I don't know, I didn't work here then.
Even in a 2022 investigation, it is stated that the springboards and trampolines are inadequate, even though the condition of the diving tower is approved. The final recommendation is still to demolish the tower. According to the unit manager, the springboards and trampolines were addressed.
Why wasn't the tower demolished?
– The investigation led to us getting funds to build a new tower. The dialogue with those who conducted the investigation was that we could keep the diving tower open, but it would eventually be replaced.
Has the diving tower been safe for visitors during this time?
– Clearly, an accident has occurred now, so it could have been safer than it was.
How do you view not following the recommendations to improve safety and instead allowing the tower to remain in use?
– It's less than ideal. It's, as I said, very unfortunate and not good. That's what I can say.