Three-year-old dies after being found in backyard swimming pool

A TODDLER has died in hospital days after being found unconscious in his family’s swimming pool in Melbourne’s outer east.

Authorities say almost every pool fence inspected in Maroondah in the past 18 months has failed to meet safety regulations.

A THREE-year-old boy has died in hospital days after being found unconscious in his family’s backyard pool.

The little boy was found by his parents at their house in Croydon South, just before 3pm on October 25.

The child was taken to hospital but died yesterday.

Croydon South boy, 3, pulled unconscious from backyard pool

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Croydon Police Sergeant Scott McLean said it was unclear how long the boy had been in the water.

“It was just like you see in the commercials where the parents realise they haven’t heard from the little one in a while and then find him in the pool,” Sgt McLean said.

“It doesn’t take long for a tragedy to occur.”

Maroondah Council chief executive Steve Kozlowski expressed sympathy for the family and declined to comment further on the case.

But he urged residents to make pool safety a priority this summer — with almost every pool fence inspected in Maroondah in the past 18 months failing to meet safety regulations.

He said more than 270 properties had been reviewed by the council in the past 18 months, with many people warned or penalised up to $15,000 for breaches.

He said 98 per cent of inspected barriers in Maroondah failed to meet regulations.

“(Common defects included) pool fencing being modified, lack of maintenance of fences, gate latches and closers, climbable items being located too close to barriers, and pools being installed without the required building permit or safety barriers,” Mr Kozlowski said.

He did not say whether the young boy’s family’s pool had been inspected.

The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2016 found 21 children under five drowned in Australia last year. More than half occurred in swimming pools, mostly as a result of a child falling into water (81 per cent).

Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers urged people to check pools and spas, with most drownings involving children occurring due to a barrier fault.

All pools deeper than 30cm legally require a fence.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.