Light of our lives has gone out, say Wolverhampton pool tragedy family
The family of Suraj Mall this afternoon paid tribute to their son after the lifeguard accused of failing to look after swimmers was cleared.
It emerged today that the day the little boy drowned was the first time his mother Lajla Kaur had visited Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre with her four children.
The youngsters had been so excited about the trip that they rushed into the pool before their mother, who was having a brief gym induction.
She then went to change her clothes to join the children in the pool.
It was when she was getting change for a locker from staff at reception that she saw a mass of people gathered by the poolside and was greeted by every parent's worst nightmare.
Her eight-year-old son Suraj was at the centre of the crowd as efforts were made to resuscitate him. He had been found face down in the water, drowned.
Recounting the events of February 10, 2008, Suraj's mother broke down in tears as she gave evidence during the two-week trial of 31-year-old lifeguard Kelly Woods at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
She told how she panicked when she could not see Suraj in the water and how she heard the alarm sound to order swimmers out of the pool.
Today his family told how they have not returned to the centre where the tragedy happened – and indeed only allowed Suraj's siblings to return to swimming at other pools recently.
Mrs Kaur, who attended court with Suraj's grandfather Balbir Chand Badhan and his aunt Pam Badhan, said: "It has been the worst day of our entire lives and has left a big hole in the hearts of all our family.
"Suraj was our first son, the first grandson to his grandparents, the first nephew to his aunties and uncles and the first beautiful baby brother to his older sisters.
"He was the light of all our lives, now he's gone we will always feel that emptiness inside.
"This is something we have to live with forever.
"Suraj and his sisters used to attend swimming lessons regularly every week.
"Now, since the accident everything changed, we have not gone to the pool since.
"One of our daughters was an enthusiastic swimmer. She wanted to have a go at competitive swimming. As a result of what happened we stopped her and the other children from going swimming for a very long time.
"It is only recently that we have allowed our children to go to other swimming pools."
She added: "Suraj will never be forgotten, his laughter will echo through our hearts forever."
She said the Villiers Primary School pupil was always smiling and laughing.
"He was such a happy boy, despite all the negatives he sometimes had with his eczema, he adored life and always made the most of his days.
"He was just like every other eight-year- old boy, he loved to play football with his grandad, loved to go out with his family and took part in all the school activities."
The family added: "Suraj will never be forgotten, we will remember him forever.
"It is just painful to know we will never be able to see him laughing, playing and living his life, that we will never be able to hold him in our arms and give him a cuddle.
