'Superdad' leaps from balcony into pool to rescue drowning son... while lifeguards 'stand and watch'

A father saved his drowning son by leaping into a public swimming pool from the spectator gallery as lifeguards watched cluelessly from the side.

Gary Jowett jumped fully clothed into the deep end when he realised no one was taking action to save four-year-old Daniel, who was struggling and going under water during a swimming lesson.

The boy's instructor set off an emergency alarm when he realised Daniel was in serious trouble, but the two lifeguards failed to jump in to save him. Seconds later Mr Jowett climbed over a balcony and dropped eight feet to the poolside before diving into the water to grab his son.



Gary Jowett with his four-year-old son, Daniel. He was forced to save his drowning son by leaping into a public swimming pool from the spectator gallery as lifeguards watched cluelessly from the side

Daniel was taken to hospital, where he was treated for shock and discharged.



Two members of staff at Spenborough pool near Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, have been suspended. The instructor tried to help Daniel with a pole and threw him a float, but did not get in the water, the boy's parents said.

Mr Jowett, 38, an engineer, said: 'I just did what any dad would have done. Daniel keeps thanking me and hugging me and telling me I'm the best. I think it really shook him up.

'I'm glad they have suspended two people, because it is wrong that these people who are supposed to save lives aren't reacting properly in emergencies.'

Daniel and his brother Nathan, seven, gave their father a badge with a picture of a caped superhero and the word 'Superdad' on it.

Wife Rachel, 37, said: 'I know he'd have done the same for any child in that position. He's our hero.

'Everything just happened so quickly. One minute he was sitting there with me and the next minute he was hurdling over the wall. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.

'I felt relieved when Gary was in the pool, but then I started to panic because no one helped him while he was in there. I felt helpless.'

Investigation: Two members of staff at Spenborough Swimming Pool, near Dewsbury, have been suspended following the incident

The incident happened during a lesson with about half a dozen children. They were swimming from the deep end towards the shallow end when Daniel got into trouble. He had veered towards the middle of the pool and the instructor shouted at him to go to the side.



Mr Jowett said: 'He offered a pole as a guide to swim towards but it was obvious he was struggling. He had nothing left in him.'

After throwing a float towards Daniel, the instructor pressed a 'drown button' that sounded an air raid-style siren. Seconds later, with the two lifeguards and the instructor - all young men - still apparently undecided about what to do, Mr Jowett intervened.

'I didn't even have time to take my trainers or clothes off, I just jumped into the water with my phone, keys and wallet in my pocket and swam to Daniel who was under the water.

I managed to grab him and push him up above my head. I then got him to the side of the pool and one of the guys helped pull him out.'

Alasdair Brown, chief executive of pool operators Kirklees Active Leisure, confirmed the two suspensions and said an investigation was underway.

'We apologise wholeheartedly for any upset or distress that this incident has caused those who were involved. The safety and well-being of our customers is of paramount importance to us. All our lifeguards are fully qualified,' he said.



