Young boy, 3, dies after being pulled from Ian Dipple Lagoon at Labrador on Gold Coast in critical condition

A three-year-old boy has tragically drowned at a lagoon popular with young families, despite the efforts of paramedics and members of the public.

Members of the public are calling on Gold Coast City Council to employ lifeguards at a lagoon popular with families in the wake of a toddler’s drowning on Christmas Eve.

It comes after a three-year-old boy was found face down in the water at Labrador’s unpatrolled Ian Dipple Lagoon on Friday morning.

Devastating scenes unfolded as family members, passers-by and emergency crews desperately worked to locate and revive the boy.

Paramedics at Ian Dipple Lagoon. Picture: Nigel Hallett

An online petition has launched in the hours since the tragedy, requesting lifeguards be stationed at the Lagoon during “busy periods such as school holidays and weekends.”

“Ian Dipple Lagoon is a man-made swimming area on the Gold Coast, much like the Broadwater rock pools, however more of a drowning hazard,” it read.

“Due to recent and previous tragedies, the undersigned urge the Gold Coast City Council to provide lifeguards in the area to protect the local and visiting community.”

Asked whether the the lagoon would soon be patrolled, A Council spokeswoman told the Bulletin any petitions submitted would be considered as per the requirements outlined on Council’s website.

‘Hard to find words’: Heartbreak as toddler drowns

December 24, 2021

A three-year-old boy has tragically died on the Gold Coast after a near-drowning incident in a Labrador lagoon, despite the efforts of paramedics and members of the public.

Queensland Police confirmed at 10.45am the toddler had died, after he was pulled from the water at Ian Dipple Lagoon in a critical condition just before 9am.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner, a police spokeswoman said.

Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor said he was “devastated” to learn of the tragedy.

“It’s hard to find words for such a tragic loss, especially at this time of year and because this little boy should have had so much more time,” he said.

“To our ambos, water police and the passers-by who joined the search and did all they could to save the boy – thank you for your efforts.

“My thoughts and I’m sure those of our entire community are with the boy’s family as they come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.”

Toddler dies after being found face down in lagoon

Earlier: Paramedics have performed CPR on a toddler who has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after they nearly drowned on the Gold Coast.

Eyewitnesses, swimmers and people in kayaks rallied to find the young boy after the alarm was raised at Ian Dipple Lagoon in the Gold Coast Broadwater at Labrador.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics were called to the “post-immersion incident” off Marine Pde just before 9am on Friday.

The spot near where the toddler was found. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The boy was found floating in Ian Dipple Lagoon.

Paramedics, including critical care personnel, were still treating the toddler as of 9.20am, a QAS spokeswoman said.

They wheeled the child into an ambulance, performing CPR while a shocked crowd watched on, some in tears, according to a horrified bystander.

Police were seen speaking with witnesses at the popular swimming spot in Labrador. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A Coast woman on a jog near the Ian Dipple Lagoon scene said she heard distressed cries as she was running in the area.

She not hesitate to dive into the lagoon and join the search for the missing boy.

“I took my shoes off and just dived in,” she said.

“The water police, fire brigade, critical care ambulance staff were all there – other passers-by were also helping. People in kayaks were looking. Everyone was amazing.

“It felt like 15 minutes and someone found him.”

A Detective speaks with a man believed to be a witness. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Paramedics including the High Acuity Response Unit transported the toddler to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Queensland Police Service said at 10am there was no indication the child had died after the incident.

The runner said the lagoon could be considered the “safest place” to swim”, but “actually it is not. It is not patrolled”.

Emergency crews at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s really deep in there at high tide. I was diving down and could not touch the bottom,” she said.

“It’s a real reminder that no matter type of water it is, it’s still dangerous.”

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