The management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has confirmed the death of a third-year Chemical Engineering student who reportedly drowned while swimming at the university’s campus pool in Kumasi.
The deceased, identified as David Osei Agyapong, was reportedly using the swimming facility on Saturday, November 7, when the unfortunate incident occurred.
According to information released by the university, Agyapong was an experienced swimmer who frequently visited the facility. He was also a member of the KNUST basketball team.
In a statement confirming the incident, the University’s Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Norris Bekoe, disclosed that the tragedy occurred at approximately 5:10 pm.
He explained that the student had entered the swimming pool from one of the upper diving platforms but failed to return to the surface.
Reports indicate that Agyapong dived into the deeper section of the pool, which is approximately 17 feet deep. When he did not resurface, pool attendants quickly intervened and retrieved him from the water after a few minutes.
Emergency assistance was immediately provided, and he was subsequently transported to the nearby KNUST Hospital for medical attention.
However, despite attempts by medical personnel to revive him, the student could not be saved.
The university expressed sadness over the incident, noting that the available information indicated that the deceased was familiar with the swimming facility and had considerable swimming experience.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding the student’s death remain under investigation, with the police working to establish exactly what happened.
Information circulating on social media also suggests that Agyapong was swimming with some friends at the time of the incident.
A video shared online reportedly captures him climbing onto an elevated diving platform before jumping into the pool. Moments after entering the water, he failed to resurface, leading to an urgent rescue effort involving other swimmers and pool attendants.
Attempts were made to resuscitate him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but the efforts proved unsuccessful. He was subsequently taken to the university hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The incident has raised concerns among members of the university community, as investigations continue to establish the circumstances that led to the tragic loss of the young student.
KNUST management confirms drowning of Level 300 student in campus swimming pool – Graphic Online
