The accident happened in a private pool in Southleigh

The boy, who has not yet been named, was airlifted to hospital from the privately-owned pool at Little Farm in Southleigh, east Devon after the incident on Sunday afternoon, but was pronounced dead at hospital in Exeter.

The boy, from Ottery St Mary, near Southleigh, died in what appeared to be "a tragic accident", said police.

A Devon County Council spokesman said the authority would work with Devon and Cornwall Police to establish how the incident happened.

The boy, who was not in the care of the county council, arrived at his carers on Sunday as part of a respite care programme for families of children with special needs.

It was arranged on Devon Social Services' behalf by an independent foster agency, Lifeways Child and Family Services.

'Highly thought of'

The agency had been operating a family breaks respite care service for Devon for more than four years, said the council.

The carer couple, who had undergone a regular review and risk assessment by social services, had been approved carers with Devon for the past two years.

"I know that the respite carers who are a very experienced and caring couple are absolutely distraught Jerry Bereika, Lifeways

Before that, they had been carers for Dorset Social Services since March 1994.

They were very highly thought of by Dorset and continued to be considered as such by Devon, said the county council.

Safety procedures concerning the pool were an essential aspect of the risk assessment, and social services had been satisfied that adequate safety measures were in place and being followed by the carers, said the council.

David Johnstone, director of social services, said: "The thoughts and prayers of the county council and all my staff are with the family of this little boy.

"This is devastating for them, and I also know that the respite carers who were looking after the little boy are deeply distraught."

'Profound condolences'

Two other children due to be placed with the carers had been given alternative placements "because the couple are clearly too distraught".

Mr Johnstone added: "We will be working with the police investigating how this terribly sad incident might have happened."

Jerry Bereika, managing director of Lifeways, said: "Our profound condolences go to the family and the carers of this little boy.

"Words are not a great deal of comfort at a time like this, but our thoughts and prayers are with them.

"I know that the respite carers who are a very experienced and caring couple are absolutely distraught.

"Our staff will be assisting fully with the investigation in any way they can."