It is a horrible tragedy. Many people here are surprised that these are the first drownings since the water garden opened 30 years ago.
On the other hand, I feel it is important to acknowledge a critical factor in this tragedy that does not seem to be making many of the news reports.
The father was not at the Water Garden supervising his children.
He was at the conference hotel and was summoned after his children were lost in the water.
Why were these children left unattended?? I can understand that children in their excitment would overlook the signs warning people not to go into the water. The parent should have been there to make sure they obeyed the warnings. Although it is not certain if the little girl fell in or went in to play in the water, apparently she was wearing a bathing suit. That says she went in on purpose to me.
It is even worse thinking that the deaths of these dear children could have been so easily avoided
I don't think the Water Garden will ever flow again.