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Dramatic swimming accident in Cologne: three-year-old has to be resuscitated!
On June 21, 2025, tragic swimming accidents occurred in Cologne in which children had to be rescued and resuscitated.
Dramatic swimming accident in Cologne: three-year-old has to be resuscitated!
On June 21, 2025, a tragic swimming accident occurred at Rather See in Cologne, which sent rescue workers into disarray. Witnesses reported that a three-year-old child got into trouble in the water and ultimately had to be rescued. Police confirmed that the child was unconscious and had to be resuscitated by emergency services for several minutes. A rescue helicopter took the child to a hospital, where he is now receiving medical care. The lake was “packed” at the time, an eyewitness noted, and police carried out various measures at the scene. It currently remains unclear whether the lake has been cleared.
The swimming accident at Rather See shines a bright light on recent incidents in the region. Just one day later, on Sunday, eleven-year-old Sophie saved a four-year-old child from drowning at Lake Fühlinger. The boy entered the water without a buoyancy aid and quickly disappeared beneath the surface. Sophie acted quickly and pulled him out of the water when he lost consciousness. Her mother immediately called the fire department and police, who waited with Sophie and her mother until the emergency services arrived. Fortunately, the emergency doctor confirmed that the boy is unlikely to suffer any permanent damage. The parents were supported by witnesses on site and accompanied their child to the hospital.
Special recognition for courageous actions
Young Sophie's courageous intervention did not go unnoticed. The Cologne police rewarded them with a police teddy bear and a Bluetooth box for their heroic efforts. Sophie expressed a desire to later work in emergency services, which shows that she has a real sense of the wellbeing of others. However, the context surrounding the incident must also be examined: criminal proceedings have been initiated against the boy's father. The youth welfare office in Düsseldorf was informed, but it is unlikely that the father will be prosecuted as the boy was presumably unharmed.
The incidents at Fühlinger See are not isolated. Such swimming accidents have been increasing recently. The German Life Saving Society (DLRG) predicted at the beginning of the year that there could be an increase in swimming deaths in North Rhine-Westphalia. The DLRG recorded a total of 411 fatal accidents in waters in Germany in 2023, which means an increase of 31 deaths compared to the previous year. This represents the third consecutive increase in drowning rates and shows that the dangers of swimming should not be underestimated. DLRG President Ute Vogt expressed the hope that the population would be made more aware of the dangers in the warm season. Parents of young children in particular should be made aware of the potential risks.
Overall, recent events are a serious signal that caution should always be exercised when swimming. No matter where, safety should always come first. The stories of brave children and tragic accidents in Cologne remind us that everything can happen quickly in water - and that sometimes it only takes a moment to change fate.