Crime scene at Clontarf Reserve: Bones unearthed in children's playground

Bones have been discovered by workmen under a popular children's playground in Sydney. A crime scene was set up.

The earthworks where workers who are revamping the children's playground at Clontarf Reserve, on Middle Harbour, unearthed a number of bones. Police have declared the area a crime scene. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

Police are investigating the discovery of bones underneath a popular Sydney children’s playground.

Multiple small bones were unearthed by workers digging at Clontarf Reserve, near Clontarf Beach, on Middle Harbour.

It is understood that no skull or large bones were discovered by contractors during work to upgrade to the playground by Northern Beaches Council.

Workers revamping the children's playground at Clontarf Reserve, on Middle Harbour, unearthed a number of bones. Police declared the area a crime scene. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The bones were found about lunchtime on Thursday.

Workers had initially unearthed a number of shells, which prompted a call to the Aboriginal Heritage Office.

In a statement the council said that during an inspection of the site by an official of the Aboriginal Heritage Office, a number of bone fragments were identified.

“As a precaution NSW Police were called,” according to the council statement.

“It is now a police matter.

“Work has ceased on the construction of the playground, awaiting direction and advice from NSW Police and the Aboriginal Heritage Office.”

Police have confirmed that just after 12.15pm on officers went to the construction site after reports remains were located.

In a statement police said that officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command set up a crime scene in the reserve.

“The remains were seized by police and will undergo forensic examination to determine if they are human and their origin.”

The remains have been taken to the morgue at the NSW Government’s Forensic Medicine and Coroner’s Court Complex at Lidcombe for examination.

A regular park user told the Manly Daily that they saw uniformed officers arrive and tape off a section of the work site.

“The bones were put in those brown paper bags that police put evidence in,” the person who asked not to be named said.

“Then all the work on the playground stopped for the rest of the day.”