Child who drowned at Lower Hutt's Avalon Park named on Givealittle

The child who drowned at a popular Lower Hutt park was a 5-year-old boy who had moved to New Zealand from Kenya a few months ago.

Miles, the boy who died after a “tragic accident” at Avalon Park on Saturday night, had recently emigrated to the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville after his family-of-four secured New Zealand residency, a family friend told the Herald.

A Givealittle page to support the grieving family said Miles, his parents, and baby brother lived in Wellington.

The fundraiser, started by a family friend, would aid funeral costs and possibly help bring Miles’ relatives to New Zealand for the service.

Within 17 hours, the Givealittle had raised more than $15,000.

Miles has been named as the 5-year-old boy who drowned at Avalon Park in Lower Hutt on Saturday night. Photo / Givealittle

The child was unresponsive when pulled from the water at Avalon Park on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the park at 8.10pm.

Avalon Park in Lower Hutt remained closed days after a child drowned on Saturday night.

Police said the death would be referred to the coroner.

“CPR was undertaken but sadly, the child could not be resuscitated,” a police spokesperson said.

Police said the death would be referred to the coroner.

Hutt City councillor Brady Dyer said his heart went out to the whānau who tragically lost their “precious child” in the incident.

“This is an unimaginable loss, and I know our community will be holding you in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”

Avalon Park, which had a $3.7 million upgrade in 2016, includes a boating pond which runs to a depth of around a metre.

This story has been updated to clarify when the family moved to New Zealand.

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