A two-year-old who drowned in a pool while his mother looked at her mobile phone and cared for another infant two metres away highlights the need for close supervision around water, a Victorian inquest has heard.
The boy had been playing in a toddlers’ pool adjoined to an adult pool at Crown Towers, a luxury hotel in central Melbourne, in 2021 when he slipped and fell into the deeper pool.
Coroner Sarah Gebert said CCTV footage showed he struggled for more than two minutes while his mother used her mobile phone in the toddlers’ pool nearby and minded her 12-month-old nephew. Her son then floated to the surface.
The boy, known as Master K for the inquest, was undiscovered by the mother and other pool patrons for more than nine minutes.
“Master K’s tragic death and the circumstances of his drowning highlight the need for close supervision of young children, especially in and around pools,” Gebert said in her findings.
“This is a safety message that is consistently repeated by a number of child and water-related authorities.
“I convey my sincere condolences to Master K’s family for their loss and acknowledge the profound grief caused by the passing of such a young child.”
More than 40 Victorian children aged under four have drowned since 2010 because of inadequate supervision, Gebert found.
As part of the investigation, Gebert analysed data which showed that between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2024, there were 47 drowning deaths of children aged between newborn and four years of age in Victoria. In 43 of these deaths, inadequate supervision was a factor, she found.
Of the 47 deaths, children aged one year represented the highest age group of drownings, with 16 deaths, followed by two-year-olds with 11 deaths.
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In 11 of the 47 cases, Gebert found, coroners previously made comments relating to the specific dangers faced by young children in the context of water safety.
Gebert directed the findings be provided to the Royal Children’s hospital, Ambulance Victoria, the Commission for Children and Young People, Kidsafe Victoria and Life Saving Victoria.
She also noted that the Office of Public Prosecutions had advised Victoria police that charges for child homicide in circumstances of criminal negligence should not proceed in the circumstances.
