It’s been one full week now since an 84-year-old Fordyce woman tragically died in a drowning incident at the Carl Redus, Jr. Aquatics Center in Pine Bluff. Iredell Collins died just before 10 a.m. on June 10th after being found lifeless, floating in the water. Collins was pulled from the water by lifeguard Harley Cockrell and others at the scene before lifesaving techniques were attempted. According to the police report, Cockrell arrived for work at 9 and took her position near the water. She said she saw one woman in the water, who was not Collins, and then saw that woman, who police have not identified, leave the water without needing assistance. She then said “something didn’t sit right so I went to investigate” and then found the body floating in the pool. Collins was pronounced dead at JRMC after being transported by EASI.
Sarah Morris with the Arkansas Department of Health told Deltaplex News that whenever a drowning, other death, or serious injury occurs at a swimming pool, ADH Environmental Health staff visit the facility to provide a blank copy of the required form and ensure it is completed and submitted in accordance with the rules. Staff would then conduct a routine inspection to identify any potential safety hazards and may conduct follow up inspections.
ADH personnel visited the aquatics center last week and filed a report.
Deltaplex News has received a copy of the report. The report states that the drowning occurred in the whirlpool, not in the pool as the police report stated. The report also states that the whirlpool was out of compliance as no flow meters were installed, the filtration system was out and the gauges were not in compliance. The report also states the alkalinity of the water in the whirlpool was at 30, with a normal reading of alkalinity at 60 to 180. The absence of a flow meter is listed as a repeat violation. A follow up visit took place the following day on June 12th where the flow meter was still not present in the whirlpool, listed as “Pine Bluff Aquatic Therapy Pool”.
Deltaplex News has reached out to the Pine Bluff Police Department to ask about the conflicting reports and whether Collins body was recovered in the Therapy Pool or the competition pool.
