Port Fairy rocked by child’s drowning at Belfast Aquatics

The drowning death of a young boy has left the town of Port Fairy in shock.

A young child drowned at Belfast Aquatics in Port Fairy on Friday morning.

The seaside town of Port Fairy and a school community have been rocked by the death of a boy at the Belfast Aquatics pool complex on Friday.

The boy was on a school camp with Merrivale Primary School from Warrnambool when the tragedy happened.

Principal Simon Perry immediately sent a letter to parents, saying all students were being supported. On Friday evening, police had not yet released any details of the victim.

Ally Richardson, part-owner of Oak and Anchor Hotel in Port Fairy, said the community was in shock.

“Everyone is feeling sick,” Ms Richardson said. “We just feel really sorry for the family and everyone who was part of it all.”

Ms Richardson said she feared something serious had happened when she saw the air ambulance on Friday morning.

“Everyone is worried that they’re going to know the person because we are such a close community — you automatically think it’s going to be someone you know,” she said.

Roma Britnell, state MP for South-West Coast, said it was “heartbreaking that a fun trip to the pool has ended in a tragedy like this”.

“My thoughts are with the family and with the first responders, staff at the pool and other patrons,” she added. “It’s incredibly distressing and very sad for everyone involved.”

Moyne Shire Council Mayor Daniel Meade said he was deeply saddened by the boy’s death.

“On behalf of all of us at Moyne Shire, I send my sincerest condolences to the child’s family and friends,” he said.

“Our thoughts are also with those who were at the pool today, the staff at Belfast Aquatics, and members of the public who witnessed the tragic accident.”

A council spokesman said the community pool had lifeguards who were present on Friday. Emergency services were called to the unresponsive boy at 10.50am.

A police spokesman said further details would not be released until all the family had been contacted. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Belfast Aquatics will not reopen this weekend.