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Bodies found after kids reported nearby woman’s drowning in Sydney’s Georges River

A frantic search has come to an end after the bodies of two missing children were found just hours after a woman drowned in the same river.

Police have recovered three bodies following a search and rescue operation near a boat ramp in Shearer Park in Lansvale.
Police have recovered three bodies following a search and rescue operation near a boat ramp in Shearer Park in Lansvale.

The frantic search for two children missing in a river in Sydney’s southwest has ended in tragedy after the bodies of two children were discovered nearby where a woman drowned.

Emergency services were called to a boat ramp on Floyd Bay at Lansvale, in Sydney’s southwest, after a woman and two children were seen in the water in distress shortly after 10am on Saturday.

A 32-year-old woman was pulled from the water a short time later but she could not be revived.

NSW Police have confirmed the bodies of a five-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy were discovered about 2pm after an extensive search.

A woman has drowned and two children are believed missing after an incident at a boat ramp on Floyd Bay at Lansvale, Sydney.
A woman has drowned and two children are believed missing after an incident at a boat ramp on Floyd Bay at Lansvale, Sydney.

All three people are yet to be formally identified.

Fairfield Police Area Command Acting Superintendent Luke Scott said the woman was found with the help of bystanders and with the support of boats that were commandered for the search efforts.

“With their assistance we were able to move swiftly through that search op but those two children were unfortunately found deceased,” he said.

“This investigation has moved from a search operation to ... (an investigation) into how those people came into the water.

“They were on that pier, the circumstances of how they came off the pier and into the water is what we’re looking into.”

Acting Superintendent Scott said it’s understood the trio had been at the Shearer Park before they were spotted in the water.

Police have recovered three bodies following a search and rescue operation near a boat ramp in Shearer Park in Lansvale. Picture: 7 NEWS
Police have recovered three bodies following a search and rescue operation near a boat ramp in Shearer Park in Lansvale. Picture: 7 NEWS

He said that one scenario police were considering was whether the children had fallen into the water and the woman had jumped into rescue them.

However, he stressed the exact circumstances of the tragedy remain “unknown”.

“There’s a number of lines of inquiry we’re looking into... it’s very early in our investigation,” Acting Superintendent Scott said.

“The three of them were alone, there was nobody else there from their group.”

Acting Superintendent Scott thanked those members of the public who assisted in the search efforts.

“These are completely tragic circumstances,” he said.

“It’s beyond words for how tragic it will be for anyone who observed this and the family (involved).”

Emergency services were called to the public boat ramp on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the public boat ramp on Saturday.

Police believe the current was very strong when the trio fell into the water, with rain, wind, and a “number of environmental factors” affecting the search efforts.

The search involved multiples agencies, including police, Marine Area Command, the Polair helicopter, and SES.

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner regarding the three deaths.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Fairfield Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Bodies found after kids reported nearby woman’s drowning in Sydney’s Georges River

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/breaking-news/search-for-missing-kids-after-woman-drowns-in-sydneys-georges-river/news-story/b1c9bc64d9cb92058559948ec0fdff65