Pushing her three year-old grandchild in the stroller, the grandmother was enjoying an afternoon in Quiberon with the child’s mother, father, and another adult.
No one knows the reason why the grandmother slipped – it could have been the wind or she was knocked off balance – but she ended up on the ground and the stroller rolled to the edge of the dock and plummeted into the freezing water.
As soon as they realized what happened, the father dove into the icy water and the mother fainted. The child was only in the water for one minute and was still breathing, but was unconscious from hypothermia when the medics arrived. A helicopter was called and flew the boy to the nearest hospital. The reporter does not know the current conditions of the boy.
This story is a true lesson that you never know what can happen. One minute a family was enjoying a stroll, and the next minute their child was being flown to the hospital. I feel sorry for that grandmother. One slip and her grandson’s life became endangered. It was not her fault, anyone can trip – I did last year and broke a finger. Accidents happen.
I hope this child is okay, I could only imagine the terror of being strapped into a stroller and sinking down into the water. And not only that, but icy water.
Thankfully, that little boy had one brave French pappa… what a hero!
You can read the entire article by Ouest-France in French – Quiberon. La poussette tombe à l’eau avec l’enfant
UPDATE: It was in the paper today (8/17/2012) that the child did not survive. He went too long without oxygen. My heart saddens for this poor family. I could not imagine the grief they are going through. Please send your prayers and best wishes their way.
Image Credit: Ouest-France
Tallulah says
What a story! There was a similar terrifying tale in the UK, when a mother released her pushchair at a train station. The buggy fell on to the train track and the train went right over it. She must’ve had near heart failure, but amazingly the baby was totally unscathed. Let’s hope this little boy will be absolutely fine too.
French Mamma says
Unfortunately, I read in the paper this morning that the little boy didn’t make it. Such a sad story and it really shook me up.