David Lloyd Leisure fined £2.5m after death of Leeds toddler
Rocco Wright drowned at the Moortown club in 2018
Last updated 1st Aug 2023
The David Lloyd club where Leeds toddler Rocco Wright drowned in April 2018 has been fined £2,550,000 and ordered to pay costs of £258,355.80.
Last month the fitness firm pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to a “serious” health and safety breach, five years after the three-year-old’s death in Moortown.
Nobody saw Rocco go into the water and he was found by his father minutes later, face down at the bottom of the pool.
In a statement, Rocco’s family say they continue to be ‘devastated’ by the tragic loss of their son:
“Rocco had an infectious laugh and a smile which lit up the room. He was loved and adored by all his family. He had his whole life ahead of him, and we dearly miss our little ‘buddy’ every day.
“Whilst David Lloyd have now finally filed a plea of guilty, accepting that it was their failings that led to Rocco’s death, we, as a family are extremely disappointed that this has taken over five years.
“David Lloyd have had numerous opportunities to submit an early plea but waited until what was less than 2 weeks prior to a lengthy trial. This unnecessary delay has caused increased anxiety and prolonged misery and sadness across our entire family.
“In the months before Rocco’s death, David Lloyd had been significantly fined for health and safety failings after a boy nearly drowned at one of their leisure centres.
“Tragically, lessons were not learnt by the previous event and we can only hope that David Lloyd have now implemented safe systems and necessary measures to ensure no family has to endure the immeasurable trauma and heartache that our family has had to, and continues to live with.
“No family should have to endure the loss of a child through drowning, particularly in a supervised, private and exclusive leisure centre.”
Russell Barnes, CEO of David Lloyd Leisure said: “Today is another difficult day for Rocco’s family and our thoughts are with them. We are sorry for their loss and wish to share our sympathy with Rocco’s family and loved ones.”
The firm had initially indicated a not guilty plea in November 2021 with a trial expected to follow, but the company then admitted liability at a hearing last month.
Prosecuting on behalf of Leeds City Council, Samuel Green KC said just one lifeguard was on duty the day Rocco died. According to guidelines set out by the Health & Safety Executive, a pool that size should have a minimum of two lifeguards on duty.
One worker had told how he would only get two 10-minute breaks during a shift, while another said when they did get breaks, unqualified staff would be used as makeshift lifeguards.
The lifeguards were also expected to carry out other jobs alongside their main duty, like cleaning and testing the water.
Representing David Lloyd Leisure Ltd, Simon Antrobus KC read out an apology from the company’s director where he admitted: “We simply did not do enough.”
Mr Antrobus also said that steps were taken to add another member of staff when lifeguards raised concerns about staffing levels.
Rocco had been at the pool with his dad and sister on April 21st 2018 when the tragedy unfolded. His dad was organising his daughter’s swimming lesson when he suddenly noticed Rocco was no longer by his side.
In panic, he then spotted the little boy at the bottom of the pool and dived in to pull him out.
He was taken to the LGI but sadly died the following day.