Woman, 33, and boy, 7, drown in Melbourne’s south-east near Allan Street
On Tuesday, Doveton College principal Deb Gibson said this was a troubling time for the school community.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of a student and one of his parents on Monday, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” Gibson said.
“Welfare and support is available for the family and has also been arranged for staff and students at the school.”
Zabi Mazoori, president of the Victoria Afghan Associations Network, said: The local community was doing its best to support the young boy’s two siblings.
“Them [the family] they are currently supported by their extended family networks and communities,” Mazoori said.
“They are still in shock and looking after two children who lost their mother and sister. The community is also in shock from this tragedy.”
He said water security remained an issue for communities coming to Australia from Afghanistan and called for more to be done to raise awareness of water risks.
“When I came out… the police had taken the child and were trying very hard to resuscitate him. My neighbor and I stood in the park in disbelief,” said an eyewitness who did not want to give his name.
More than a dozen SES staff attended the scene, which stretched hundreds of meters from the Allan Street bridge to the end of Steven Street. A police helicopter was used to search for the couple.
Linda Thorpe, who lives in a house by the creek, said the community was devastated and extra care was being taken near the water.
“Everyone drives slowly today. They don’t drive like they normally do.” [They’re] I slowly cross the bridge and [feeling] I’m really sorry,” Thorpe said.
“I just want to sit and cry and cry and cry.”
Thorpe said the creek has been linked to other deaths and is dangerous after heavy rain.
“People don’t realize how fast the water is flowing… even with all the rain that’s coming flying through it.”
Another resident, Sayed Yousaf Hashmi, said that when he came home after work, he saw many emergency service workers searching the stream.
“All the neighbors went out. Women and children are all inside. [a] panic.”
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti told Monday night’s council meeting: “Our thoughts go out to those affected by this terrible tragedy, including their families, friends and emergency services who attended.”
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said it was an unimaginable tragedy.
“Please be mindful of creeks, waterways and fast-moving water, especially after recent rains,” he said on social media. “May they rest in peace.”
Dandenong Creek has had a history of deaths, including in 2018 when a badly decomposed body was found in the creek bed near EastLink and Greens Road.
In 2016, a cyclist drowned after applying the emergency brakes and falling into the water while riding along the Dandenong Creek road.
In 2014, 3-year-old Ishnael Baqaie died after falling into the water.
On Tuesday, the Dandenong Creek was flowing rapidly following morning rain.
Residents south of the creek on Dawn Boulevard said recent rain meant the waterway was flowing faster than normal.
On Sunday, an eight-year-old boy drowned in the swimming pool of a display house in Kialla.
With Lachlan Abbott
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