The Gold Coast was left reeling after a heartbreaking incident that claimed the lives of a man and his father, who drowned while attempting to rescue a toddler from a pool, The New Zealand Herald reported. The incident has prompted authorities to issue a warning about water safety, especially during the busy school holiday and Easter break period.
The young child was playing near the edge of a pool at an apartment block when they slipped and fell into deeper water, setting off the chain of events. Dharmvir Singh, 38, and Gurjinder Singh, 65, immediately jumped into the pool to save the toddler but tragically found themselves in distress.
Despite efforts by bystanders to revive them with CPR, both men succumbed to the water's grasp and passed away at the scene. A woman known to the family was also present and was taken to the hospital in a distressed but stable condition.
Mitchell Ware from the Queensland Ambulance Service described the scene as highly emotional, emphasizing the impact on the family, witnesses, and emergency responders. He urged the community, especially non-swimmers and those with young children, to exercise caution around water, as tragedies like this can unfold in a matter of seconds.
The family, believed to be holidaying from Victoria, was not alone at the pool, but it remains unclear if safety flotation devices were available. Queensland police are conducting an investigation, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Ware acknowledged the lasting effects such incidents have on everyone involved and extended condolences to the family and all affected. He highlighted the importance of support networks for emergency responders and the broader community in dealing with such traumatic events.
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