Toddler drowns in veronica bucket

Residents at Boadi near Kumasi were thrown into a state of mourning when a two-year-old boy drowned in a veronica bucket.

The toddler was reported to be playing on the compound of their home while his mother, who is a nurse, prepared his breakfast in the kitchen.

‘Veronica bucket’ is a plastic receptacle usually attached with a tap used to store water. It gained popularity in Ghana due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. It can be found in almost every household and public space.

Family members told the police that his mother came out and found the head of her son in the bucket half-filled with rainwater with his legs pointed upwards, Daily Mail GH reported.

According to the police, “he was rescued and rushed to Anninwaa Hospital at Emena for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival by the medical officer on duty”.

No marks of violence were seen on the body except that water kept dripping from his nostrils.

The body of the two-year-old boy has since been deposited at the Anninwaa Hospital’s morgue for preservation awaiting autopsy.

While the police at the KNUST District say they are investigating the case, they have described the incident as “unnatural death.”

On April 29, 2020, a one-and-half-year-old boy also drowned in a well while playing with his siblings at Atasamanso, a suburb of the regional capital, Kumasi.

The unfortunate incident occurred when the little boy slipped and fell in the partially covered well. He had attempted mounting it.

According to mother of the boy who gave his name as Nana Yaw, her child was rescued at about half-an-hour later and rushed to the Atasamanso hospital, but was confirmed dead on arrival by medics.

These recent happenings have raised concerns about parental negligence.