Teen who broke neck in pool dies

File photo / NZ Herald

A 16-year-old teenager who broke his neck after he dived into a pool died this afternoon in Middlemore Hospital.

The teenage boy had been on life support since the accident on Sunday. He was found unconscious in the shallow pool by his younger brother.

Hospital spokeswoman Lauren Young tonight said he passed away late this afternoon. She was unsure if his life support was turned off or not.

The Otara teenager was playing in and around the pool with a group of family and friends on Sunday when he dived into the pool. It appears he landed awkwardly in the shallow water and broke his neck.

Because the boy couldn't move after diving into the pool, he stayed under the water until his mother pulled him out and tried to revive him.

Paramedics arrived soon after and were able to resuscitate the teenager. He was taken to Middlemore Hospital, where he was placed on life support, although he was not expected to recover.