Child drowns in pool

File picture

A CHILD drowned in a swimming pool in the backyard of a house at the city end of Clifford Street yesterday afternoon. Emergency services were alerted at about 4pm yesterday.

The girl, who would have turned two next month, was found lying face-down in the water by a family member who immediately called for help, a police spokesman said.

St John Ambulance, Fire and Emergency NZ and the police rushed to the home.

“Paramedics and firefighters carried out CPR but the child could not be revived,” a police spokesman said.

He said the paramedics pronounced the child deceased at the scene.

The girl’s name has not yet been released, as police continue to advise all next-of-kin. Police Victim Support has been made available to the family in the wake of the tragedy.

Emergency services have extended their condolences to the child’s family.

“This is such a very sad and tragic situation,” police said.

“It is a horrible thing to happen for that family.”

Police will investigate the tragedy on behalf of the coroner.