Flibbertigibbet

They're Probably Egoists, You Know

BBC News: Police defend drowning death case

Police chiefs have defended two community support officers (PCSOs) who stood by as a 10-year-old boy drowned in a pond.

Jordon Lyon leapt into the water in Wigan, Greater Manchester, after his eight-year-old stepsister Bethany got into difficulties on 3 May.

Two anglers jumped in and saved Bethany but Jordon became submerged.

The inquest into his death heard the PCSOs did not rescue him as they were not trained to deal with the incident.

Mister Bookworm sent this article to me in light of recent discussions that have contained lengthy diatribes about drowning little children.

This case is very difficult to judge since I wasn't there and I do not know these Public Safety people or their swimming skills. Once upon a time I was a certified life guard, though, and the dangers of unskilled people leaping into unknown water are well-documented and clear.

What a horrible, horrible thing for a parent. And it is doubly frustrating to know that there were people present who had judged the situation such that they could not save the child.

This is certainly a tragedy.

But to those unfamiliar with the arguments here, I want to be clear that the title of this post is sarcastic; this incident cannot be judged as supporting or refuting ethical egoism.