Tragedy strikes Dandenong Creek: Mother and Son Drown After Recent Rainfall
Dandenong, Victoria - A 33-year-old woman and her seven-year-old son have died after drowning in Dandenong Creek in Melbourne’s south-east on Monday. Emergency services were called to the area near Allan Street, where a search extended hundreds of metres downstream to Steven Street, involving more than a dozen SES personnel and a police helicopter.
The child was retrieved by police and resuscitation attempts were made, according to a witness who wished to remain anonymous. “By the time I went outside… the police had retrieved the child and were trying so, so hard to revive them. My neighbour and I stood at the park in disbelief.”
The community is in shock,particularly those connected to the family,who are currently being cared for alongside the woman’s other two children. “They are still in shock and looking after the two children that lost their mother and sibling.The community is also in shock about this tragedy,” a spokesperson said.
Authorities have highlighted water safety concerns, particularly for newly arrived Afghan communities. A call has been made for increased awareness of the risks associated with fast-moving water, especially after heavy rainfall.
Linda Thorpe, a local resident whose home backs onto the creek, described the community’s devastation. “Everyone is driving slow today. They’re not driving like they normally do… just going slow across the bridge and [feeling] really upset,” she said. “I just want to sit and cry and cry and cry.” Thorpe noted the creek’s perilous currents, stating, “People don’t realize how fast that flows… with all that rain it comes flying through.”
Sayed yousaf Hashmi, another local, reported seeing a large emergency services presence when he arrived home from work, with neighbours, including women and children, in a state of panic.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti expressed the council’s condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to those affected by this awful tragedy, including their families, friends and emergency services who attended.” La Trobe MP Jason Wood urged caution around waterways, posting on social media, “Please take care around creeks, waterways, and fast-moving water, especially after recent rain. May they rest in peace.”
This tragedy is not isolated. Dandenong Creek has a history of fatalities, including the discovery of a badly decomposed body in 2018, a cyclist drowning in 2016 after falling into the creek, and the death of a three-year-old boy, Ishnael Baqaie, in 2014 after slipping into the water.The creek was flowing rapidly on Tuesday following morning rain, and locals reported the waterway was faster than usual due to recent rainfall.
The incident comes after an eight-year-old child drowned in a display home swimming pool in Kialla on Sunday.
