CAMARILLO BOY DROWNS IN POOL.

Byline: Kevin F. Sherry Daily News Staff Writer

A 17-month-old Camarillo child drowned Sunday night in the swimming pool of an Oak Park home where he and his parents were attending a party, officials said Monday.

Colton Clarke, the son of Russel and Cindy Clarke, apparently walked through the unlatched gate of a fence and fell into the in-ground pool in the 6400 block of Maplegrove Street, said Jim Wingate, chief deputy coroner for Ventura County. Several families were attending a gathering at the home, but no one else was near the pool.

Russel Clarke found the toddler about 6:45 p.m., floating face down under a solar blanket covering the pool, officials said. They could not speculate how long he had been in the pool.

``It appears to be a terrible accident,'' said Ventura County sheriff's Sgt. Mark Ritchie.

Rescue workers arrived and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the boy, but he was pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m. at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

With the start of summer approaching, officials urged pool owners to take precautions, including installing a surrounding barrier or fence at least 5 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate that is out of reach of children. Fences should have no foot or hand holds that young children could climb, and chairs, tables and other potential climbing aids should be kept away from the fence.

Standing water should be removed from pool covers, and covers should be completely removed when not in use.

Steps and ladders leading to above-ground pools must be secured, locked or removed when not in use, officials said. And pets, toys and other children's playthings should be kept out of the pool area.