An 11-year-old boy who was pulled unconscious from a Mearns swimming pool is now recovering from his ordeal at home.
The child is being looked after by his parents just a week after being pulled unconscious from the bottom of Stonehaven open air pool last Thursday.
Emergency services rushed to Queen Elizabeth Park and attempts to resuscitate the youngster were made at the poolside before he was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by ambulance.
He was seriously ill and was cared for by medical staff before later being transferred to Edinburgh.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into what happened and the pool will remain closed pending its conclusion.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: ”Aberdeenshire Council continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident at Stonehaven open air pool on Thursday, June 28. The pool will remain closed pending the conclusion of that investigation.
”The indoor swimming pool at the nearby Stonehaven Leisure Centre was due to close for the summer, but will now remain open until further notice to ensure that leisure facilities are still available for local people and visitors.”
The youngster was part of a group of 24 pupils from Ferryhill Primary in Aberdeen who were on an end-of-term trip to the popular tourist attraction.
The facility had been visited by a number of primary schools last week in their final week of term.
Aberdeenshire Council provides the lifeguard staff at the pool which is run in partnership with the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool.
The friends play a key role in supporting the running of the pool, which opened for the season at the end of May.
The good news the boy has been released was soon relayed to delighted members of the public on the open pool’s Facebook page.
A spokesman for the pool told followers: ”Grampian Police have issued an official statement to say that the boy has been released from hospital and has made a full recovery. We are all delighted.
”The pool will, however, remain closed meantime this is the council’s decision as the operators of the pool.”
Well-wishers queued up to express delight at the news after it was announced the boy is back home.
Dougie Johnston said: ”I’m glad he’s okay.”
Andrew Notley added: ”Glad the boy is okay and made a full recovery.”
Gillian Claire Penman said: ”Aberdeenshire council are being very cautious so glad to hear the young boy is well though.”
Catherine J Campbell spoke for everyone when she said: ”That’s fantastic news that the wee lad is okay. Thank goodness.”
Jackie Robb said: ”Good news about the young boy…shame about the pool not opening though.”
Around 1,000 swimmers visited the attraction on its opening day. It takes 290,000 gallons of sea water to fill the 50-metre pool, which is set in an art-deco listed building.
The Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool were formed to ensure the future of the pool when it was threatened with closure in the 1990s and is now responsible for maintenance and operation, alongside Aberdeenshire Council.