Tragedy Strikes at WA’s ‘Best Kept Secret’: Father-of-Four Drowns in Front of Horrified Family at Moore River
- A 38-year-old Perth father tragically drowned at Moore River in Guilderton, WA, on Tuesday, despite desperate attempts to save him.
- Six others, including four children, were pulled from the water and taken to hospital, with three youngsters discharged and recovering at home.
- The group was walking along a sand bank in the middle of the river when the man slipped into the deeper section and disappeared underwater.
A devastating scene unfolded at Moore River in Guilderton, WA, on Tuesday, when a 38-year-old father-of-four slipped from a sand bank and drowned in front of his horrified family. The tragic incident occurred at around 11:45 am, when the group of seven swimmers, including four children, were walking along the sand bank in the middle of the river.
According to WA Police, the group had entered the water towards the end of the sand bank when the man slipped into the deeper section of the river, disappearing underwater. Bystanders rushed to their aid, pulling all seven people from the water shortly before the arrival of emergency services.
Witness Ashley Gould described the scene as “quite confronting,” stating that conditions on the water at the time were “pretty still” and “really flat.” Another witness said many onlookers were left “in shock” by the tragedy.
Despite desperate attempts to save him, the 38-year-old man was unresponsive and could not be revived. His family, including his four children, were left shaken by the ordeal. Three children aged under 10 have since been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home, while a teenager remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences to the family. The site of the tragedy, Moore River, is promoted as one of “South West Australia’s best kept secrets” and is a popular tourist spot.
This is not the first tragedy to occur at Moore River. Six years ago, in 2019, a seven-year-old girl drowned in the river after going missing during a day trip with her family.
Police have cordoned off the scene, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of swimming in unfamiliar waters and the importance of taking necessary safety precautions.