A British-Nigerian Pastor identified as Pastor Gabriel Diya was reported to have drowned alongside his two children while he was trying to rescue them from drowning inside a pool on Christmas Eve. The pastor was said to have jumped into the Costa Del Sol pool to save his struggling daughter and son even though he could not swim, and in the process, ended up drowning with them.
According to the report by Metro UK, investigators are starting to unravel how Gabriel Diya, 52, Comfort Diya, nine, and son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16 died at the Club La Costa World in the Spanish resort, as surviving sister Favour, 14, said she was playing in the water with her youngest sibling, who slipped, lost her footing and drifted to the deep end uncontrollably. Comfort is said to have taken some swimming lessons but only in shallow water where she could touch the bottom of the pool. Gabriel and Praise-Emmanuel jumped into the pool after hearing the girl’s screams, but Favour has since told police neither of them knew how to swim, the report stated.
Civil Guard union AUGC spokesman Francisco Gonzalez said: ‘With that information and the fact we know the water in the pool was very cold, the mystery of what caused this awful tragedy begins to unravel itself.’ Favour says she went to look for a lifebuoy after seeing her brother struggle in the water and as their dad began to strip off to dive in, reports Spanish newspaper Sur.
The children’s mum Olubunmi, 49, was in the family’s holiday apartment at the time but is understood to have also said the victims could not swim. Gabriel Diya and his two children were found unresponsive in the pool and despite the efforts of paramedics and the hotel’s first responders, they could not be revived.
Diya was originally from Ile-Ife, Nigeria and a pastor at Open Heavens London in Charlton, South-east London, which is part of a network called the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
The church where Diya was a pastor said its prayers were with the family.
“With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the family, parish, friends and associates of Area Pastor Gabriel Diya who sadly passed away, along with two of his children… in a tragic incident while on a family holiday in Spain.
“At this very difficult time, our prayers are for Pastor Gabriel Diya’s family, the parishes that were under his supervision, friends, associates, members of RCCG and the general public,” the post added.
Diya was survived by his wife, assistant pastor Olubunmi Diya and another daughter.
A neighbour of the family told the PA news agency she was “really devastated” to learn of the deaths, describing the Diyas as “very religious, very friendly, very humble”.
Speaking outside her home in Charlton, Lara Akins, 59, added: “I still can’t comprehend it, it’s still shocking. They are so nice, that is why everybody is shocked… we are very friendly with each other.”
Investigations are still ongoing by the police but the management are already set to reopen the pool…May their souls rest in the lord…