Boy, 7, found unconscious in lagoon, dies

Seven-year-old Brian Vargas of Vallejo has died at Children's Hospital Oakland five days after being pulled unconscious from the water in an East Bay swimming lagoon.

[Cliff]

Parents (adults with children) are ignorant when it comes to kids (that cannot swim) around pools, beaches, lakes or rivers. They just don't keep their eyes on them. Kids don't know the dangers of waters where people swim. Just as they have a designated driver for party-goers, there should be a designated "WATCHER" for children around water. WHAT A TRAGIC! All because of ignorance.

[VallejoRob]

I wish to offer my condolences to the boy's family. I commend their choice to donate their son's organs. I hope they find some measure of consolation in the fact that his organs will bring hope to several other families.

Cliff, I understand your anger but I think your words are poorly chosen and misplaced. Unless you were there, you cannot possibly know if there was any ignorance or negligence involved. Perhaps the boy had an undiagnosed medical condition. Please think of the pain your words might cause to an already grieving family.

[rip]

he was my daughters classmate...our thoughts and prayers are with you brian, you will be missed.

[rip]

btw...cliff you're an ass***!! I know this family, these are good parents and it takes only seconds for a tragedy like this to happen, and it could happen to anyone it doesnt matter how well you take care of your children accidents happen every day and they don't happen to bad parents....they can happen to anyone.

[WatchOut]

Cliff, you assume quite a bit for not knowing the whole story.

A very tragic loss. My condolences to the family during this very difficult time.

[Cliff]

rip wrote:

btw...cliff you're an *******!! I know this family, these are good parents and it takes only seconds for a tragedy like this to happen, and it could happen to anyone it doesnt matter how well you take care of your children accidents happen every day and they don't happen to bad parents....they can happen to anyone.

rip, I'm an educated ******!! when it comes to child safety and survival. It just so happens that I teach safety and security. And let me tell you, Most accidents are preventable, especially this one. Yeah, the truth hurts. But it can also save a life. Sure my heart goes out to the families involved. And they aren't the only that has experienced this type of loss. Grieving or not, I stand firmly to what I've said, and that's out of knowledge and experience. And if he had a medical condition, he shouldn't have been any where near water. No excuses excepted here. When the mournings are over, that poor child will still be gone.

[Cliff]

WatchOut wrote:

Cliff, you assume quite a bit for not knowing the whole story.
A very tragic loss. My condolences to the family during this very difficult time.

What's there to assume? You have a 7 year floating face down in water, who was not detected at the time he entered the water. Obvious to me that the child wasn't being watched. It took a lifeguard to locate him. What was the lifeguard doing that he/she found the boy too late. I assure you, that someone in that family has said, "I should have been watching him." I hear it all the time in child related drownings. "When you say, I should have, that too late." Educate yourselves in safety and security regarding children around waters. They slip out of view quickly.

[rip]

Cliff...you should stick to your job and teach child safety instead of judging these poor parents, and it really doesnt matter how much education you have, you really don't know much until you have children of your own and you are responsible for another human life 24 hrs per day, you take your eyes off that child for a moment and a tragedy like this happens..who cares about dumbass cliff i wanted to let brian know that he is in the thoughts and prayers of his classmates =-(

[apples]

Cliff- I agree with what you have written-as harsh as it may seem-you are correct

[WatchOut]

Cliff wrote:

<quoted text>
What's there to assume? You have a 7 year floating face down in water, who was not detected at the time he entered the water. Obvious to me that the child wasn't being watched. It took a lifeguard to locate him. What was the lifeguard doing that he/she found the boy too late. I assure you, that someone in that family has said, "I should have been watching him." I hear it all the time in child related drownings. "When you say, I should have, that too late." Educate yourselves in safety and security regarding children around waters. They slip out of view quickly.

You assume that he wasn't watched. The child was swimming in a designated swimming area (as indicated that there was a lifeguard on duty), may have suffered a blow to the head while in the water or had some type of medical emergency while in the water causing him to drown. What you say was preventable could have happened while a responsible adult was watching. What you say is "watching the kids" others would consider "helicopter parenting". I mean, I could leave my kids at home while I pick up dinner because I might get broadsided while driving causing the tragic loss of my family. I could let my kids play in my back yard and climb the trees, but one might fall and break a bone. Why don't you just stay in your perfect little sheltered world, safe in your boring old bubble wrap and foam lined corners where nothing bad could possibly harm you. Or you could get a life that doesn't involve judging others' actions and reactions. I'd love to know the medical examiner's findings so that I can rub it in your face that whatever happened could have happened while in the water or at home.

[apples]

WatchOut wrote:

<quoted text>
You assume that he wasn't watched. The child was swimming in a designated swimming area (as indicated that there was a lifeguard on duty), may have suffered a blow to the head while in the water or had some type of medical emergency while in the water causing him to drown. What you say was preventable could have happened while a responsible adult was watching. What you say is "watching the kids" others would consider "helicopter parenting". I mean, I could leave my kids at home while I pick up dinner because I might get broadsided while driving causing the tragic loss of my family. I could let my kids play in my back yard and climb the trees, but one might fall and break a bone. Why don't you just stay in your perfect little sheltered world, safe in your boring old bubble wrap and foam lined corners where nothing bad could possibly harm you. Or you could get a life that doesn't involve judging others' actions and reactions. I'd love to know the medical examiner's findings so that I can rub it in your face that whatever happened could have happened while in the water or at home.

It is not a "bubble wrap" issue when have a child near water. We can not breathe water and children die each year from not being supervised. Never has a supervised children been pulled out face down from a pool. It is always the child left unattended and with drowning it is a silent death-no scream for help....just like children choking....it is a horrible tragdedy but I do agrtee with Cliff in that it was preventable. I always had my daughter in a life jacket-she is now grown but as a teen swam for the swim team...she did not wear life jacket then...but when she was young she did and she had swim lessons and water safety training. Children need to be taught to respect water. The best of swimmers should never be swimming alone-let alone a child not being watched. What were the lifeguards doing I wonder?

[Katy]

Fist of all my little cousin did know how to swim. You should send your condolensces not your little sermon. Be respectful don't be so quick to judge.

[apples]

Katy: I am sorry for your loss, but possibly if people followed the "little sermons" regarding water safety-you would not be burrying your little cousin. It is horrible when a young child drowns in water where they are swimming... and it is worse because it is PREVENTABLE. If it was a flash flood etc-then yes- it just happened unless people are warned to leave an area and they stay etc. The word accident encompasses too much I feel. Preventable accident is more accurate. Katy-I am very sorry for your loss but do not let your cousin have died in vain. It was not an accidental drowning...it was negligence on many levels. This happens in life and is so very sad. Please take this opportunity to turn your grief into action and educate people on the dangers of water and children. It is wonderful your cousin knew how to swim but even the best of swimmers should not be left alone....and by alone I mean eyes that are watching should be those eyes of a loved one. No person is more invested usually in keeping a child safe than a parent or family member. I do want you to understand-this is a tragedy but it is an accident that can be prevented which to me translates to it never should have happened.