Horrifying twist after mother and her two kids drowned in a Sydney river

It first appeared to be a family outing that simply went horribly wrong. Now police are looking into the possibility of something much more sinister.

A mother may have purposely drowned her children in a tragic murder-suicide scenario after a family outing went horribly wrong over the weekend.

The bodies of Mitchell Nguyen, 7, and Hazel Nguyen, 5, and their mother Hoai Doan, 32, were recovered from the Georges River at Lansvale in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday in what was originally believed to be a tragic drowning.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for the family of drowning victims who lost their lives in the Georges River on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

However, police confirmed to news.com.au they are now investigating whether their triple-drowning was the result of a murder-suicide.

The tragic incident unfolded at 10.15am when emergency services were called to a boat ramp in Shearer Park following reports a woman and two children were seen in the water in distress.

“Members of the public attempted to assist the woman and children until emergency services arrived,” police said in a statement.

Mother Hoai Doan. Picture: Supplied

The boat ramp search and rescue operation near Shearer Park on the Georges River in Lansvale in Sydney's south west. Picture: NewsWire

The woman was pulled from the water but unable to revived. A short time later the bodies of her two children were recovered.

“Police have established a crime scene, with investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing,” the police statement said.

“Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Fairfield Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

The probe comes following reports from bystanders that they were attacked by the mother as they tried to help the children, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A GoFundMe has been set up by family friends Sarah Vu to raise money for the father and the children’s one-year-old brother Macario.

“I am reaching out to you during a time of unimaginable sorrow. We hope to raise funds to aid the funeral and to assist the father to look after young Macario in this time of grief,” the campaign states.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference.”

Ms Vu posted a video of the two children skipping along a street on Facebook. Picture: Facebook

The GoFundMe has almost reached $50,000. Picture: Facebook

Almost $50,000 has already been raised for the family.

In an update posted to Facebook on Monday morning, Ms Vu confirmed their bodies would be sent back to Vietnam.

“I can’t believe the fund raised more than expected! I would like to sincerely thank all the contributions of the community,” she wrote.

A community vigil was held for the family on Sunday.

NSW Police Acting Auperintendent Luke Scott described the tragedy as “beyond words”.

“The circumstances of what they were doing there, unfortunately we do not know at this point in time.

A mum and her two children tragically drowned in the Georges River on Saturday. Photo: Tom Parrish

“The investigation has commenced in relation to this coronial matter. The circumstances of how they came off the pier and into the water, that is what we are looking into.”

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Originally published as Horrifying twist after mother and her two kids drowned in a Sydney river