Queensland campsite tragedy after baby found unresponsive in lake, sparking police investigation
A seven-month-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a lake at a Queensland campsite, with police saying they are so far unable to explain how the tragedy unfolded.
The baby boy was found in a lake at Chatsworth Park - located north of Gympie - at about 10.30am on Saturday.
The baby’s mother first raised the alarm and pulled her child from the water.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He was rushed to Gympie Hospital in a life-threatening condition, but later died.
Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said on Monday that the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death so far remained unclear.
“We’re treating it as unexplained, that’s probably the best term I can use at this point in time,” Inspector Mansfield said.
He said the baby was at the park with his mother and father, who were on their way home to North Queensland and had stopped to stay overnight, with the tragedy occurring the next morning.
“The mother of the child did retrieve the child from the water - it’s been a very traumatic experience for her, clearly,” Inspector Mansfield said.
“Multiple people assisted with the CPR of that infant child at the scene and obviously later emergency services.”
Police cordoned off parts of the park on Saturday, including a playground and nearby campsite, as they continued their investigation.
Chatsworth Park is a well-used rest stop and campsite for highway travellers and has become a place where some homeless people stay long-term.
“Some people stay there permanently, and some others are transient, they’re just passing through town looking for a place to sleep, and the council allows for that,” Inspector Mansfield said.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area, particularly between 9am and 11am on Saturday, including drivers who may have just been passing through.
“We have information that other vehicles were parked up in the rest stop area,” Inspector Mansfield said.
“They either left just prior or during, we just don’t know until we speak to them.
“There were a couple of vehicles that left the scene who may or may not have seen or heard anything, but we just need to track them down in case they did.”
The Child Trauma Unit and the Homicide Investigation Team are assisting with the investigation. No one has been charged in relation to the baby’s death.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Originally published as Police investigating 7mo baby’s drowning in lake in Chatsworth Park, Gympie
