The shock after Monday’s incident in Burgenland is enormous: a five-year-old boy was found unconscious during a day at kindergarten and died shortly afterwards in a hospital. He had previously distanced himself from the group. The big question now arises in the country: how could this have happened? The “Krone” has the first answers.
The little boy was on Monday morning with his kindergarten group and supervisors on a playground in the Mattersburg district. According to researchers, the meadow is only about 200 meters from the kindergarten. Both the children and the educators know the area well, they say.
Then the five-year-old would have left the group – suddenly, but not unnoticed. According to initial findings, two caretakers may have even followed the little one, who was said to have autism, but then lost track of him. Apparently the boy had disappeared behind a hill and was crossing the street. According to the initial findings, he then ran 500 meters further through the open entrance gate of a house and disappeared behind him on the ground. There he fell into a biotope.
Found in Garden Biotope
As reported, a major search was immediately launched. Seven patrols, a service dog and two drones were deployed. The five-year-old was then found in the biotope at around 1 p.m. by the owner of the property. The boy was immediately taken to hospital, but died there a short time later.
The two teachers are currently receiving psychological care, as are the nine toddlers and their parents.
The mayor of Mattersburg, Claudia Schlager (SPÖ), had protected all those responsible in the kindergarten shortly after the drama became known. Schlager stressed: “It was a tragic accident, our thoughts are with the family.” So far, there was no indication that the kindergarten had done anything wrong.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. We would like to express our sincere condolences to the parents and family. From the side of the municipality, we will offer them all the support. In these difficult times, we also pay attention to the teachers and children in kindergarten and their parents,” the mayor added to the “Krone”.
Investigation launched against kindergarten
Nevertheless, as usual in such cases, it is already clear that the police are investigating alleged neglect of their duty of supervision. The office of the regional councilor responsible for kindergartens, Daniela Winkler (SPÖ), also said an inspector was in Mattersburg and investigating the matter.
The outcome of the investigation is still fully open, further investigations are ongoing. “We are following every lead,” police said.
“Fall in Shock and Quietly Drown”
According to the Austrian Road Safety Council, an average of five children drown each year – about two-thirds are under the age of five. Children can die in paddling pools that are only four inches deep. “While adults scream for help, children go into shock and silently drown,” said Othmar Thann, director of the KFV. It is all the more important that they are never left unattended near baths, bodies of water and swimming pools.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
