‘Accident waiting to happen’: Heartbreak as 4yo boy drowns in Melbourne lagoon

“It’s very concerning if a child manages to get away from their parents, there’s a big body of water there that attracts them,” said a heartbroken neighbour.

Alexandra Feiam

2 min read

May 14, 2024 - 6:48AM

Family Life

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Parents of a four-year-old boy who drowned in a lagoon in Officer yesterday afternoon have called for further action to be taken to protect children from accessing open bodies of water.

Ali Aminzadah was with his parents, who travelled from Swan Hill to Melbourne’s Officer to visit family members, when he disappeared.

A large and marshy lagoon with a thin wire fence was nearby, less than 50 metres from where he wandered off.

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Ali tragically drowned on Sunday after wandering off from his family. Picture: Supplied

Calls for better fencing around Melbourne lagoon

Emergency services were called to the Officer house at 5pm on Sunday, where they found the 4yo unresponsive in a nearby lagoon.

Despite their best efforts, Ali was pronounced dead at the scene.

Captured the moment Ali’s parents were searching for the boy, walking past the stretch of water for over half an hour before he was discovered.

Near the lagoon is a thin wire fence with gaps large enough for children to slip through.

Following the boy’s tragic death, his parents are urging the Cardinia council to take action to stop other children from drowning in the lagoon.

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“You quite often see kids around the lake,” a neighbour told 7News, arguing the tragedy was an accident waiting to happen.

“I really think council needs to look at fencing to see what they can do; put something better up than what is there.

“Lots of young families live around here, you often see them walking past every day with their young children, so it’s very concerning if a child manages to get away from their parents; there’s a big body of water there that attracts them.”

There is only a thin wire fence surrounding the lagoon. Picture: 7News

Four-year-old remembered as a “fun-loving” boy with a “big smile”

Ali is remembered as a “fun-loving” boy with a “big smile” and loved to play. He had just started kindergarten and loved playing with the other children.

Following the loss of the playful 4yo, Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik shared his condolences to the family on behalf of the council.

However, there was no mention of updating or fixing the current fencing around the lagoon.

“This is absolutely tragic news,” he said in a statement per 9News.

“On behalf of Council and the local community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the boy's family during this devastating time.

“The Cardinia Shire community has been deeply affected by this terrible incident happening so close to home.

“I'd also like to acknowledge the impact of this incident on first responders and the valiant efforts of emergency services personnel who attended the scene.”