Finding into death of Y OA
Deceased
YOA
Demographics
7y, male
Date of death
2022-01-02
Finding date
2022-09-28
Cause of death
Drowning
AI-generated summary
A seven-year-old boy drowned in the Snowy River while playing with other children at a camping ground. His mother was supervising from approximately 30 metres away without flotation devices available. Recent dam releases had increased water flow, creating strong currents and unstable sand conditions. The coroner emphasised that effective water supervision of children should occur within five metres maximum, with proper flotation equipment always used. No medical or clinical failings were identified. This case highlights the critical importance of close parental supervision around water, appropriate safety equipment, and environmental hazard communication at recreational sites. Parents must recognise children's unpredictability and inability to make adult-level safety decisions.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- Inadequate supervision distance (30 metres away)
- Absence of flotation devices despite availability
- Increased river flow from dam water releases
- Strong currents and turbulent water conditions
- Dynamic and unstable sandbar conditions
- Lack of warning signs about river dangers
- Limited phone reception delaying emergency response
Coroner's recommendations
- DELWP install appropriate warning signs at Wood Point campsite regarding dangers of swimming, including sudden floods and strong currents
- DELWP liaise with Snowy Hydro to establish real-time warning system for water releases from Jindabyne Dam
- DELWP liaise with appropriate authorities to conduct feasibility study of installing/improving mobile phone reception around Wood Point camping ground
Full text
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