IMPROVED safety measures have been introduced and counselling offered at a Canvey swimming pool where a seven-year-old girl nearly drowned.

Natea Dackombe’s hair was sucked into a 7mm underwater vent at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, off Somnes Avenue, on May 2.

The youngster would have drowned if her great-grandad Tony Swain had not come to her rescue.

Castle Point Council has now announced safety improvements after an internal probe.

These include permanently switching off the vent and increasing the number of lifeguards watching the pool at all times from two to three.

Random checks have also been introduced to ensure lifeguards are paying close attention.

The council also confirmed the two lifeguards suspended following the incident have been reinstated and given extra training.

Peter Burch, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We are committed to safety at our swimming pools and our investigations show that the pools continue to be safe to use.

“However, by strengthening our procedures, we are confident that an accident like this can never happen again.”

“Waterside has always been a very safe pool, so this unfortunate accident involving a vent that has been used without problem for 30 years was a shock to everybody.

“We understand that it would have been a frightening experience for the girl involved and those who saw it, so we have offered counselling to the girl, her family and staff involved.”

The changes were introduced over the last month as part of a council investigation into why the vent sucked in Natea’s hair and no lifeguards came to her rescue.

Mr Swain, of Protea Way, Canvey, said: “I’m pleased they’ve turned off the vent and have an extra lifeguard. Anything which makes the pool safer is a good thing.

“Natea and I have been going swimming at Runnymede instead. Natea has carried on as usual. I think it scared me a lot more than her.”