Tragedy as missing child’s body located after man found dead, boat adrift in Concord, Sydney
Tragedy struck when the body of a young girl was found hours after her father was found dead and a small boat was swept away by the current. Sydney’s inner west
Emergency services rushed to Bayview Park on Burwood Rd in Concord on Saturday morning after a passerby spotted a man’s body and raised the alarm.
Police arrived at the scene with the help of the boater and found the man, believed to be in his 40s, in the water near Hen and Chicken Bay in Abbotsford around 11.45am.
Officers said the man was seen with a child in the small boat before his body was found, prompting a major emergency services call for the young girl.
It is understood that the man and the young girl set out from Cabarita Marina on a small rental boat around 10:00 in the morning.
After extensive search efforts that lasted until Saturday afternoon, the location of the young girl was determined.
7NEWS understands divers near Abbotsford made a tragic discovery.
Forensic teams are heading to the scene.
“Both have not yet been formally identified, but information suggests the man is in his 40s and the girl is believed to be around six or seven,” NSW Police said in a statement on Saturday evening.
Police are worried that the young girl was thrown into the sea by her father.
“Police received a call from a friend of the man who said he had concerns for the welfare of the child and the man,” Inspector Christine McDonald said.
7NEWS understands the father sent text messages, called relatives to say goodbye and even called while he was on the boat.
Police said neither the man nor the girl knew how to swim.
“Officers are providing support to the child’s mother as investigations continue,” police said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Burwood police or Crime Stoppers.
If you need help in a crisis situation, call Lifeline on 131114. For more information about depression, call beyondblue on 1300224636 or speak to your doctor, local healthcare professional or someone you trust.
