Investigations after a swimming accident in Nenzing: parents exonerated!

Investigations after a swimming accident in Nenzing: parents exonerated!

On August 11, 2025, the Feldkirch public prosecutor's office stopped the investigation against the parents of a seven-year-old girl after a swimming accident in the Walgaubad in Nenzing. The incident occurred on June 28, 2025, when the family was visiting from Hungary. In a swimming accident, the girl, who was being cared for by her father, was discovered in a swimming raft that drifted off the edge of the pool and overturned. A bather discovered the seemingly lifeless daughter at the bottom of the pool and immediately alerted the rescue workers.

After being resuscitated, the girl was flown to the Feldkirch State Hospital and treated there in the shock room. Fortunately, the girl suffered no complications. The parents were only informed about the incident afterwards, when their daughter had already been resuscitated. An inspection revealed no gross negligence or only minor fault with regard to the parents' duty of supervision.

Risks on the water

Swimming accidents can often be prevented by taking simple safety precautions. During the holiday season, many people are drawn to bodies of water, which is associated with danger and risk of injury. Important safety measures include observing safety instructions, barriers and buoys, and avoiding jumping into unknown waters. These rules should be particularly kept in mind, as children in particular are at risk of finding themselves in unexpected situations.

Liability for swimming accidents can depend heavily on the local conditions. In swimming pools with permanent supervision staff, the pool operators may be held liable if supervision is deemed inadequate. Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their children remain in areas appropriate for them and that non-swimmers do not enter pools unsupervised.

Legal framework

Drone photography has also increased in recent years, which is associated with special legal regulations. Drone pilots must comply with EU regulations, including Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and (EU) 2019/945. Liability insurance is required by law for all drones, and failure to comply can result in drone pilots facing fines of up to 50,000 euros. In addition, data protection and personal rights apply, especially if recordings are to be published.

In the context of swimming accidents, it is crucial to adhere to safety measures and be aware of the legal framework in order to minimize risks and protect yourself and others. Anyone who creates sources of danger is obliged to minimize these risks in order to avoid accidents.

For further details on the legal aspects of drone recordings, we refer to [Dirks Legal](https://www.dirks.legal/2023/07/18/was-muss-bei-drohnenfotografie-rechtlich-beachten- Werden/). Information on prevention and liability in the event of swimming accidents is available at Mühlenbein, while VOL.AT provides the details of the current case.