NSW: Family mourn toddler drowned in backyard pool
30 Nov 2008 6:53 PM
SYDNEY, Nov 30 AAP - The family of a toddler who drowned in a NSW Hunter Valley backyard pool is trying to come to terms with their loss.
Two-year-old Harry Connors died after his father found him in the family's swimming pool on Kalora Crescent, in Charlestown, just after 7pm (AEDT) on Saturday.
Paramedics took him to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, but he died a short time later.
His uncle, David Stevens, says the family do not know how the tragedy happened.
"He was just a lively vivacious little boy who had plenty of life left in him," he told the Seven Network.
"I think the whole family is trying to piece together what happened, to tell the truth.
"No one knows exactly."
Mr Stevens warned other families of the danger posed by swimming pools. He said no one could understand the loss of a child unless they experienced it themselves.
"I don't think there's anything you can say unless it's one of your own."
Police are investigating the death.
The Charlestown toddler is the third to have drowned in NSW pools in less than a week, after twins Ethan and Matthew Hill died on the Central Coast.
The boys, aged 21 months, were riding plastic bikes around the sunroom of their St Huberts Island home on Monday night, before they let themselves outside and ended up in the pool.
They were both rushed to Gosford Hospital but Ethan died a short time later.
Matthew was airlifted to Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital in a critical condition, but died on Thursday.
And, on the NSW south coast earlier this month, four-year-old Riley and 15-month-old Travis drowned after falling into the sea off Tathra wharf. Their father Shane O'Neill also drowned after diving in to try to save them on November 18.
