A child has died in a suspected drowning at a Christchurch public swimming pool.

A police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch emergency services were notified at 2.45pm that a child had been found unresponsive at Waltham Swimming Pool.

She said CPR was carried out, however, tragically the child was unable to be revived.

Inquiries into the circumstances are underway.

A St John spokeswoman said two ambulances and two rapid response vehicles attended the scene.

Fire and Emergency crews also attended.

A swimmer at the pool said lifeguards performed CPR on the child and there were many people crowding around.

“Ambulances turned up as we left. I was very shaken up” she said.

The pool was closed immediately after the incident.

Police officers were still at the scene early Wednesday evening.