Swimmers who restrained teen who died at a Newcastle pool labelled 'courageous' by police
NSW Police have praised swimmers for trying to help teenager Pono Aperahama before he died at a public pool in Newcastle.
They held Pono down after he lashed out at a staff member then started punching himself in the head, causing injuries so severe he died on the way to hospital.
The 17-year-old struggled with a brain injury and on Tuesday night he became violent at the Lambton Pool in Newcastle before harming himself.
His carer, staff, bystanders and police restrained him, then he went into cardiac arrest.
"It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch them bring a young child out, trying to resuscitate him on the stretcher, and they were still doing it as they were driving off," witness Susan Clark said.
Police believe those who intervened did not contribute to the teenager's death.
"I think they were quite courageous, actually," Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell said.
"I think they've gone for no other reason but to support the young person."
Despite that, a critical incident investigation has been launched and counselling offered to pool staff.
"They're very upset," Newcastle City Council's Jeremy Bath said.
"This is the last thing you prepare for when you work at a swimming pool."
Pono Aperahama was critically injured in a bike crash in Sydney four years ago.
His family is now wondering if Tuesday's incident was the final, fatal result of that crash.
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Pono's mother, who lives in New Zealand, has been shattered by his death.
She told 7 News that before the bike crash he was a happy-go-lucky boy and she had been looking forward to reuniting with him in three months' time, when he would have turned 18.
