Three-year-old boy presumably dies in Rather See: police are investigating!

Three-year-old boy presumably dies in Rather See: police are investigating!

A tragic incident occurred on June 21, 2025 in Rather See near Cologne. A three-year-old boy was suspected of drowning while swimming. Bathers discovered the child lifeless under water at around 3:10 p.m. and resuscitation measures were immediately initiated. Tragically, the toddler could not be saved and, after intensive efforts by rescue workers, was flown by helicopter to a clinic, where doctors could only determine death. The criminal police have now started an investigation into this suspected swimming accident, while the fire department looked after around 30 bathers on site.

The affected boy's parents were immediately taken in an ambulance to their son's side, where the terrible incident had occurred. In this context, the police are asking witnesses who have information about the accident to contact the criminal investigation station by telephone or email in order to find out more about the circumstances that led to this accident. NRW Aktuell reports on the first shocking moments on site and the relief measures that were immediately initiated.

Frequency of swimming accidents

This tragic incident is part of a worrying statistic. According to the DLRG, a total of 411 fatal accidents in waterways were recorded in Germany in 2023, which means an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This third increase in the number of drownings in a row shows that there is a need to raise even greater awareness of the issue of “water safety”. The DLRG plans to make parents of small children aware of the dangers, especially in the upcoming warm season. DLRG emphasizes the importance of education and predestined behavior when staying in water.

Just a few days ago, a similar incident occurred on June 15, 2025 at Lake Starnberg, where a 32-year-old man drowned while swimming. The water rescue service and rescue workers were no longer able to help him, despite all their efforts, which once again illustrates the seriousness of the situation. Relatives, including his partner and five children, also witnessed the shocking moments. In this case, a crisis intervention team was set up to support those affected Bavaria Police.

These incidents are a sad example and highlight the importance of vigilance and safety in the water. Anyone who bathes or swims in water should always pay attention to their children's swimming skills and introduce them to the dangers in water. Even if the summer days are tempting, it is important to always keep a close eye on the little ones.