She was drowning?

A tragic incident in Montreal has prompted calls for changes to school swimming programs after a 14-year-old boy drowned during a class.

Blessing Claude Moukoko, an eighth-grade student, was participating in a swim lesson on February 15 at Centre Père-Marquette when he drowned in the deep end of the pool.

Shockingly, the teen remained underwater for 38 minutes before anyone noticed he was missing. His classmates discovered his body only after the class had ended.

Lifeguards and staff quickly pulled Moukoko from the pool and began CPR. Emergency services rushed him to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.

Unfortunately, Moukoko had suffered irreversible brain damage due to the prolonged lack of oxygen, and efforts to save him were unsuccessful.

He passed away six days later, leaving his community and family devastated. A newly released coroner’s report emphasized the importance of prioritizing water safety over swimming techniques in school programs.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called for improved safety measures and better support for schools. “We need to ensure kids know how to stay safe in water,” she said, urging school boards to receive the resources they need to prevent future tragedies.