Loved ones remember Fariba Hussainzada, 33 and son Farzad, 6, who drowned in Dandenong Creek tragedy
Grief-stricken relatives are mourning the deaths of a six-year-old boy and his mother. The mum, who jumped in to try and save her son, was remembered as a caring and kind person who had a “truly remarkable” love for her family.
A suburban school is mourning the tragic death of a young student and his mother who both drowned in the Dandenong Creek.
Fariba Hussainzada, of Doveton in Melbourne’s south-east, died trying to save her six-year-old son Farzad Hussainzada after he fell into the swollen creek on Monday.
The 33-year-old mother jumped in to help her son before she also faced difficulty about 3.45pm.
The pair were pulled from the creek by emergency service crews but could not be saved.
Ms Hussainzada, 33, was remembered by her cousin Saleha as a “devoted mother whose caring nature, kindness and determination inspired everyone around her.”
“She was a strong woman,” Saleha Hussainzada told the Herald Sun.
“She would not leave her kids alone for a minute, she was always looking after them, caring for them, especially her oldest son – the one that we lost.
“Her love for her family and children was truly remarkable.”
Fariba leaves behind two other children, a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter.
The family moved to Melbourne from Afghanistan 10 years ago.
Principal Deb Gibson on Tuesday afternoon confirmed the young victim was a student at Doveton College, a short drive from the scene.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of a student and one of their parents on Monday and extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends,” she said.
“This is a distressing time for the school community. Wellbeing support is available for the family and has been arranged for staff and students at the school.”
Dandenong Creek was on Monday and Tuesday flowing rapidly after a huge amount of rain swept across the city.
Dandenong local Sayeed Yousaf, whose suburban property backs on to the creek, said he rushed outside to see dozens of emergency service workers and residents in shock on Monday.
“All the neighbours came out, children, women, they were all panicked,” he said.
“I saw some police officers around, helicopters, and they were searching. All the people were out here, they were watching what was going on … all worried. It’s very sad … they are human beings, the loss of human beings is not good.”
His neighbour, Linda Thorpe, said the creek behind her home was a danger in wet weather.
“People just don’t realise how fast that (creek) flows, even if it’s a small amount of water, but with all of the rain it all just comes flying through,” she said. “I think what they’re going to have to do is put a big cage over the whole thing so nothing can be put in there, no one can fall in. People have got to be protected, because they just don’t realise. (But) you’ve got to watch your kids like crazy. It’s very sad, we’re all feeling it … I just want to sit and cry.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said there were “simply no words that can make sense of such a profound loss.”
“A terrible tragedy unfolded at Dandenong Creek (on Monday) afternoon. Our hearts go out to the family impacted, and the local community who are grieving with them today,” she said.
“A special thanks to our local emergency services and first responders, many of whom are volunteers. On our worst days, they turn up to help, often at great personal cost. We are so very grateful for their dedication to our community.”
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Emergency crews fought to save pair
Another witness described the grim scenes of Monday afternoon and explained how hard emergency services worked to save the pair.
The child, who is believed to have been found first, was said to be receiving effortful CPR.
The witness said she saw the woman’s body being lifted out of the river by a drenched emergency service worker.
She said it was an “awful” scene.
Police said a witness reported two people had fallen into the creek about 3.45pm on Monday.
“Police conducted a search of the area and located the unconscious pair, pulling them from the water and starting CPR,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency services, they were unable to be revived and declared deceased at the scene.”
A minute’s silence was observed during Monday night’s Greater Dandenong council meeting.
Mayor Jim Memeti told the meeting that the council had “just learnt there has been a tragedy in Dandenong Creek”.
“We have heard that a child and an adult were swept away in the creek and despite the best efforts of emergency services they couldn’t be revived and they were declared deceased at the scene,” he said on Monday night.
“Our heart goes out to those affected by this awful tragedy including their family, friends and emergency services who attended.”
Two SES tents had been set up beside the creek between Bassett and Seely streets to shield the bodies from view, before they were removed about 7pm.
One local said the creek had been flowing faster than usual following recent rainfall.
“That creek is dangerous after a lot of rain,” another woman said.
“It can be pretty fierce.”
“The creek’s the fullest I’ve seen it ever,” another man said.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Originally published as Loved ones remember Fariba Hussainzada, 33 and son Farzad, 6, who drowned in Dandenong Creek tragedy
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