An international student is in critical condition in a Saint John hospital after he nearly drowned at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
The teen, a Chinese exchange student, was swimming with his friends during a public swim at the centre when he got into trouble and had to be pulled from the water.
Saint John Police Sgt. Glen Hayward said police responded to a 911 call at the centre around 3:30 p.m.
"When police arrived they found lifeguards doing CPR on a young male, a 17-year-old international student from Simonds High School," Hayward confirmed.
The teen, whose name has not been released pending notification of his family in China, was just weeks into his first year at the Saint John High School. Police say they are in the process of contacting his family.
CTV News visited the school today to speak to students about the incident. Many students weren't aware of the details and the boy wasn't widely known. But students were sympathetic when they heard the news.
"It's a real tragedy to have that weight on your mind, that your son is all the way here, and you're not," said one student.
"Imagine if it was your parents there, all the way in China, and to hear that happen to their son, that's awful," said another.
Staff at the Aquatic Centre declined an interview, but they did say lifeguards that were supervising the pool on the weekend were not on duty during the week.
Hayward says police are investigating the incident, but foul play is not suspected and they don't expect to lay any charges.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar
