boy nearly drowned after falling into their landlord's swimming pool.

Mr. Luis Camara yesterday recalled how he found his youngest child Maciel floating face down in the pool on Monday afternoon.

After spending the day by the pool, his wife Natalie and their three children including Maciel were bathing after a day of swimming.

"We were getting ready to go to the Portuguese National Day festivities,'' Mr. Camara said.

At about 4 p.m. while Mr. Camara was waiting for his family in the living room he saw Maciel run outside.

Mr. Camara said he was not concerned the child would fall in the pool because he believed the gate was locked and could see his brother-in-law outside in the garden.

"We always keep the gate locked,'' he said. "I built the fence around the pool myself.'' However, when Mr. Camara did not hear Maciel laughing or his brother-in-law playing with him, he became concerned and went outside to check on him.

"I asked my brother-in-law if he saw Maciel, Mr. Camara said. "He said `No! Isn't he inside?'.'' At that point Mr. Camara said he noticed the pool gate was open and instantly looked over at the pool.

"My boy was face down,'' he said. "I just ran fast and jumped in to get him out. He was completely unconscious. I lay him down and pressed his stomach -- a lot of water came out of his mouth but he was still unconscious.'' Mr. Camara said he then tried mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and Maciel's eyes opened a little and he began coughing up more water.

"I thought `oh gosh!', he is alive, thank you,'' Mr. Camara said. In the meantime Mr. Camara said his wife heard his cries for help and had called an ambulance.

Maciel was kept in hospital overnight and last night for observation, but is expected to be released today.

Mr. Camara said Maciel loves the water and his wife often played with him in the pool. "He did not want to get out,'' Mr. Camara said. "He wanted to stay and play.

From now on Mr. Camara said he will be double-checking to insure the gate is locked after people have finished using it.

LUCKY TO BE ALIVE -- Mr. and Mrs. Luis Camara of Devonshire with their 20-month-old child Maciel.