The search for a young boy that got stuck inside a well in northern China has finally ended. However, the discovery wasn't quite the happy ending that the everyone was expecting.
The boy was helping his father harvest vegetables
According to reports, the 6-year-old fell inside a well while he was helping his father harvest some vegetables. The well was about a foot wide and 40 meters deep.
The rescuers worked nonstop for days to rescue the child, pumping oxygen down the well as well as sending down food.
They also expanded the shaft to 100 meters, as the entrance was too narrow for the rescuers to get in. Digging through the soil however, was a very dangerous task, as the soil was very loose and had to be supported to prevent a cave-in.
An 800-square meter area around the well has been cleared in order to make room for the vehicles and machinery being used in the rescue.
After 5 days of intense searching, the rescuers finally found the boy. Sadly, the boy was dead.
Online reactions were mixed
A lot of people were talking about the incident on WeChat, a social networking and communication app that's very popular in China.
Most shared a message of support for the family, saying, "It was saddening to read about such news. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to see a child fall into a well. I hope the child will be alive and alive."
Some felt that it was the father's fault for not taking care of his son. One user named S_AND_YY wrote, "Parents have to take care of their children and it's dangerous everywhere."
Others felt that the well was the problem in the first place, another user said "The kid is in primary one already. Do his parents have to spend every minute with him? Is it possible? Shouldn't the well be the focus? If the well didn't exist, would this accident happen?"
Go to the next page to learn about teaching your kids safety.
Keeping your kids safe outdoors
Accidents happen, it's a simple fact of life. However, that doesn't mean that we can't do anything to prevent accidents from happening, especially to our children. That's why it's important to know what exactly we can do to make sure that our kids are safe.
Here are a few pointers to consider:
- Always be prepared. If you're going on a trip with your kids, make sure to plan ahead and pack accordingly. Always have a flashlight and a first aid kit handy, as well as emergency medicine and a backup cellphone that you can use to call for help.
- Know where your children are. It's common for kids to explore the outdoors, however make sure to know where they are and have a plan for what to do if they get lost.
- Use proper safety equipment. In some sports such as biking, having a helmet saves lives. If you and your children are interested in biking, make sure to have the proper safety equipment and check to see if your brakes are working properly. You should also try and avoid biking at night.
- Keep your kids close by. When hiking with your children, make sure to keep them close to you since it's pretty easy to get lost outdoors, even for experienced hikers. If possible give them a flashlight, or a cellphone that they can use in case of an emergency.
- Keep your kids active. A good way of avoiding injury is exercise. Having strong bones, joints, and muscles can ensure that you and your children have a lower chance of getting injured. Exercise also keeps you fit and healthy.
- Know the risks. Some outdoor activities aren't appropriate for younger children. That's why it's important to choose outdoor activities that are age-appropriate. Your child's safety should always be a top priority.
Sources: edition.cnn.com, chinadaily.com.cn, healthline.com
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