Coroner releases findings on toddler Meziah Kiria’s drowning at Holiday Inn pool
A coroner has released findings regarding the 2023 drowning death of a toddler at a Holiday Inn in Auckland. The report emphasizes the importance of constant supervision for young children near water after the boy accessed a pool area while his parents were locked out of their room.
Why it matters
The case serves as a tragic reminder of the critical need for pool safety and vigilance, especially in temporary housing situations.
A teenager looking after two children and a baby in a hotel pool saw toddler Meziah Kiria trying to get in through the pool's child-safe gate.
When she next saw him, he was swimming in the deep end alone, and as she looked around, she realised no adults were with him.
Not a confident swimmer and with other children to watch, the 19-year-old decided the best thing to do was to find his parents.
When she did, it was too late. His mother and father rushed to pull Meziah from the pool and give him CPR, but he had drowned.
Coroner Alexander Ho has released his findings into Meziah's death in 2023.
The coroner said he was "hesitant" to be critical of the young woman, as she was not legally responsible for the boy.
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