By Muhammad Al-Muwailhi
DHIBA – The family of the young boy who died after falling into an open sewer has blamed the Civil Defense rescue team for the death.
One of the family members said the rescuers arrived late to the scene and did not bring the necessary equipment that could have helped them take quicker action. Meanwhile, a source in Tabuk Civil Defense absolved rescuers of any responsibility, noting that the open sewer located at an area that falls under the responsibility of Dhiba Port security teams, not the Civil Defense.
Khalid Al-Anazi, Red Crescent Authority spokesman, said when the paramedics arrived at the scene, the boy did not have any heartbeat or did not breathe. They conducted a CPR on him and transported him immediately to the hospital.
The Ports Authority spokesman Musaad Al-Dereas confirmed that the security and rescue teams helped in the rescue operation of the boy. The teams brought equipment to suck sewage water out and acted immediately after the accident was reported.
The boy’s grandmother said the Civil Defense and Red Crescent teams arrived late to the scene and did not bring any equipment so that they could go down into the sewage and save the boy. The Civil Defense rescuers refused to go down into the sewage for fear of being suffocated of the strong odor, she said. One of the neighborhoods of the boy’s family volunteered and went down into the sewage after bringing a ladder and a rope from a location nearby. The grandmother said the rescue teams did not bring a ladder or ropes, not even diving equipment.
The boy’s sister said her brother was playing near the open sewage when he suddenly fell into it. She saw him fall before her eyes and ran home to tell her family.
The boy’s grandfather said many of street sweepers cried over the boy who used to be kind to them and give them money and blankets during the cold weather.
