The swimming lesson at the Chesapeake Family YMCA was geared to teach city fourth-graders like Nathan to be better swimmers, but something went wrong. The boy's hands, grasping the sides of the pool, slipped, and Nathan went under the water as instructors rushed to his aid, police said. His breathing was sporadic, his pulse faint. He died less than 90 minutes later. Today, medical examiners will perform an autopsy to determine how the Sparrow Road Intermediate School student died.
Police consider it accidental.
The YMCA was not alerted that Nathan had any medical problems, said William George, senior vice president of operations for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. Parents were required to fill out a permission slip stating that their child was in good physical condition, he said. Rescue workers arrived within minutes, Sitler said. Nathan Skutt's family declined to comment. Eight to 10 supervisors and lifeguards were at the scene, YMCA Executive Director Crystal Anderson said.