Mum and stepdad of five-year-old who drowned at water park released on bail
Charlie Dunn's parents arrested after horrified boy,11, found the drowning victim in a lake while searching for his lost goggles
PARENTS arrested over the death of five-year-old Charlie Dunn, who drowned at a water park, have been released on bail.
The pair, believed to be Charlie's mum Lynsey Dunn, 28, and stepdad Paul Smith, 35, were arrested after the youngster was pulled from the lagoon in Market Bosworth.
Charlie's parents were said to have looked on in horror as they recognised his Minion shorts being pulled from the lagoon.
An 11-year-old boy pulled Charlie's lifeless body from the lagoon after discovering it at around 3.50pm on Saturday.
He had wandered off as the couple packed up the family car to leave the park. When they went to find Charlie, they saw a boy being pulled from the water wearing the shorts.
Scores of families at Bosworth Water Park, Leicestershire, looked on as Charlie was given CPR.
Paramedics managed to find a light pulse and he was airlifted to hospital.
But relatives said his parents, of Tamworth, Staffs, decided to turn off life-support as he had suffered severe brain damage.
Charlie's distraught step-grandmother Sharon Robinson, 50, told The Sun: "I'm so stressed out and just shocked by what's happened.
"Charlie was my step-grandson. It's my son Paul's stepson and Paul's girlfriend Lynsey in Charlie's mum.
"He was a loving boy and was a typical five-year-old. He was funny, cheeky and loveable.
"He used to always give me cuddles and would ask me to help him with his homework.
";He loved his schoolwork and his school reports were brilliant. He was only on the first weekend of his school holidays."
Charlie was at Bosworth Water Park with his mum and step-dad.
"They've been there so many times before. They were just loading the car ready to come back and Charlie had asked his dad if he could go to the park," said Mrs Robinson.
"The last thing Paul said to him was 'Yes you can go to the park, but we are going home in a minute.'
"The park was in their view so they could keep an eye on him. He went with his sister, but for some reason he decided to go to the water.
"Paul shouted the kids back to go home, but Charlie didn't. Paul started to panic and went to the park but Charlie wasn't there.
"He ran back to the car and that's when he saw a young boy being pulled out of the water.
"He knew it was Charlie because he was wearing Minion shorts.
"I was shopping at Morrisons and Paul called me and said 'He's gone blue, he's blue. He told me he was going to the park.'
"He's beating himself up about it. Him and Lynsey will have to live with the guilt which is awful.
"They have a one-year-old daughter and Lynsey is three months pregnant.
"They were leaving because Lynsey wasn't feeling very well.
"Charlie was given CPR and paramedics also used a defibrillator.
"On the way to the hospital, they managed to find a slight pulse.
"But they had to put him on life support, and they said he had suffered severe brain damage and that his quality of life would be very poor if he lived.
"Paul and Lynsey had to make the heart-breaking decision to turn the life support machine off.
"We've had to explain to his sister that Charlie isn't going to be coming him.
"We've tried to diplomatically tell her.
"The first thing she said to me was 'Does that mean my mummy has to get rid of all of Charlie's toys?'.
"The police called me at 1am to tell me Paul and Lynsey had been arrested.
"I screamed down the phone saying it was the last thing they needed.
"The whole thing is just horrendous."
Witnesses left messages of sympathy on social media. Sheena Thomas wrote on Facebook: “My 11-year-old nephew pulled this little boy from the water while searching for his goggles.”
My 11 yr old nephew pulled this lil boy from the water after feeling his hair whilst searching for his goggles he had lost.
Sheena Thomas
Dee Lawson worte: “Rip little boy, thoughts are with the family at this awful time. So sad x.”
Teresa Beasley added: “How very sad. Family go out to have a fun day and such a tragic event happens. Thought go out to his family.”
Raegan Birley wrote: “A little boy drowned in there lagoon pool. Two older boys got him out and lots of people tried to help but he passed away in hospital.
“We were quite near and were totally shaken to seeing this happen.
A sign at the park advises “all children to be supervised by a responsible adult at all times”. Leicestershire Police last night said the arrested couple had been released on bail
A five-year-old was discovered in the water and rushed to hospital but tragically died, police said.
The park's owner Nigel Riley said it was a "dreadful incident".
A spokesperson for the force said: “If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist with our enquiries please contact us.
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“Equally if you recorded any video footage at the park yesterday around the blue lagoon beach we’d like to speak to you.”
Families flocked to the park during the hottest week of the year to enjoy the beach area, camping facilities and a play area.
“To everyone that helped, you worked so so hard, it must be devastating to see this news. To this little boy’s family I am so so sorry.
“Things can change in seconds and this must be horrific for any family to go through.”
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Police were called at 3.50pm this afternoon (Saturday, July 23) to Bosworth Water Park, Market Bosworth, after a young boy was taken to hospital.
“The five-year-old boy was taken to University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire where he subsequently died.
“An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the death.
“We would ask that people do not speculate about the circumstances surrounding the death and leave the authorities to carry out their investigations."
Bosworth Water Trust, which runs the popular park, posted a message on its Facebook page, saying: “From all of the staff at Bosworth Water Park we would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to everyone effected by this tragic loss of life.”
Leicestershire Police have confirmed that a man and woman have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in police custody.
A spokesperson for the force said: “If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information that could assist with our enquiries please contact us.
“Equally if you recorded any video footage at the park yesterday around the blue lagoon beach we’d like to speak to you.
The Bosworth Water Park was open for business today less than 24 hours after the tragedy
Visitors expressed their shock at the tragedy, with some calling for the park to be closed until it is deemed safe.
One mum, who did not want to be named, said: "My cousin was at the park when she saw ambulances and police all over the place yesterday.
"She saw a young couple crying and assumed that might be the little boy's parents but couldn't be sure.
"It sounds like a tragic accident and shows what can happen when you turn your eyes away from kids for even a second.
"The water is only a couple of feet deep, it's truly awful."
Dog-walker Anthony Wheeler, 50, said: "The park is an accident waiting to happen.
"I have said for a long time that the park needs more lifeguards on duty, especially on busy days when there are more children around.
"I must say I was surprised to see the park open as usual today, I would have expected it to be closed while investigations are carried out into exactly what happened."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting incident 440 of 23 July.