Toddler dies after Footscray pond tragedy

A little girl found unresponsive in a Footscray pond after falling into the water earlier this week has died in hospital.

A deadly pond at Footscray Park where a toddler nearly died, months after a three-year-old girl drowned in June.

A toddler who fell into a pond in Footscray on Monday has died in hospital.

Victoria Police confirmed the girl had died at the Royal Children’s hospital on Thursday afternoon.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Tributes to the young girl were met with outpourings of condolences and prayers on Friday morning.

The two-year-old’s uncle, Rasheed Rishi, farewelled his niece on social media.

“This flower could not find her sweetness,” he wrote.

“We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return,” he said.

“Miss you.”

Friends and relatives from overseas, some from Pakistan, farewelled the toddler.

“May God be with you, beautiful one,” one woman wrote.

“This is so sad,” another said.

A temporary fence will be built around the pond in Melbourne’s inner west after the girl nearly died when she fell in on Monday evening.

A three-year-old girl drowned in the same pond at Footscray Park in June this year.

The two-year-old was found unresponsive in the pond – south of a fenced adventure playground – about 8pm.

Paramedics at the scene on Monday.

The pond is near a large playground at Footscray Park. Picture: Ian Currie

A temporary fence is going around the pond. Picture: Ian Currie

Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said a temporary fence would be built around the water.

“The council is saddened to learn of the incident at Footscray Park on Monday,” Mr Tran said.

“Temporary fencing will be erected around the pond while police investigate.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

A spokeswoman said the council was unable to comment further as police investigated.

It is not known whether the council is considering erecting a permanent fence.

Footscray residents are split on whether a permanent fence is necessary.

In a Facebook thread, one local said a fence would “spoil the ambience and interfere with wildlife”, while another added “given that Footscray Park backs onto the Maribyrnong River, fencing a pond seems a bit ridiculous”.

But other residents disagreed, with one writing “if a fence could’ve saved even one of their lives then absolutely it should be there”.

MEN DIE IN CHRISTMAS DROWNINGS

A tragic Christmas Day drowning renewed calls for swimmers to remain vigilant over summer.

A 29-year-old man drowned on Saturday at Newport Lakes Reserve while swimming in the lake about 6.30pm. He was pulled from the water by passers-by but was unable to be revived and died at the scene.

Emergency services were also called to Lake Wendouree at Ballarat after the body of a Wendouree man, 44, was found by a passer-by about 8.30am on Christmas Day.

His body was found at the lake’s eastern shore.

“Police are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the death but at this stage the matter is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police statement said.

In NSW, a three-year-old drowned in Lake Macquarie on Christmas evening, with two other searches under way in rural NSW for missing swimmers.

Australia has recorded 26 drowning deaths since the first day of summer this year.

Life Saving Victoria health promotion and communication general manager Dr Bernadette Matthews said the deaths were a “tragic start” to the holiday season.

“Life Saving Victoria sends our sincere condolences to everyone affected by this incident,” Dr Matthews said. “Although the matter remains before the coroner, this incident is a timely reminder to always play it safe by the water.”

Dr Matthews urged swimmers never to enter the water alone, check the conditions and know the limits around water.

“Even if the water seems calm, inland waterways such as lakes can have many hidden dangers including submerged objects, currents, and unstable edges.”

She said 39 per cent of Victorian drownings last year occurred in rivers, creeks, lakes or dams, representing a 56 per cent increase in drowning deaths at inland waterways compared to the 10-year average, and making them the most fatal location for Victorian drownings in 2020-21.

A man drowned in Newport Lake on Christmas Day. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Last December and January also saw a significant peak in drowning incidents compared to the 10-year average, so we’re urging Victorians to make safety their priority around water this year to stop festivities from turning into further fatalities.

“If this death is deemed a drowning, it will bring the fatal drowning toll to 21 this financial year to date.”

Newport resident Vikkie Chrisoulis described the Newport Lakes drowning as a “tragedy”.

“I’m really surprised that this has happened and it’s such a tragedy for this to happen on Christmas Day,” Ms Chrisoulis said. “I’ve been walking around this park for several years and it’s not common for people to swim in the lake, it’s very sad.”

Beau, who has walked in the park for more than 10 years, said he had never seen anyone swim in the lake.

“It’s not really a lake suitable for swimming, it’s really strange,” he said. “My thoughts are with the man’s family at this time, it’s devastating for our community.”

The lake is mostly shallow and filled with large rocks, with its deepest point being 2.5m deep.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.