Child nearly drowns in flooded underpass as police rule out criminal negligence

Police in southwest Finland have closed an investigation into a near-drowning incident in Kaarina after determining no crime was committed, according to a statement released on Monday.

A small child was rescued from floodwaters in an underpass in Kaarina’s Littoinen district in late February after heavy rainfall caused the passage to fill with water. The child, who was pulled to safety by a relative, was taken to hospital for treatment.

Investigators with the Southwest Finland Police Department concluded that extreme weather conditions—not negligence in street maintenance—were to blame. A report provided by the City of Kaarina found no evidence that those responsible for upkeep had failed to act “appropriately and without delay” to restore safe conditions.

“There is no indication that the party responsible for maintenance neglected their duty to ensure the street was in satisfactory condition, whether intentionally, through gross negligence, or otherwise,” said Detective Sergeant Aino-Kaisa Kannisto in the police statement.

The decision brings an end to the inquiry, with authorities confirming no charges will be filed.