One-year-old drowns in swimming pool in Gisborne. File photo
A baby girl drowned in a swimming pool in the backyard of a house at the city end of Clifford St yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were alerted at about 4pm yesterday.
"The infant, a girl aged 1, 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 Emergency NZ and the police rushed to the home.
"Paramedics and firefighters carried out CPR but the child could not be revived," the police spokesman said.
"The paramedics pronounced the infant deceased at the scene."
The infant's name has not yet been released, as police continue to advise all next-of-kin.
Victim support has been made available to the family in the wake of the tragedy.
Emergency services have extended their condolences to the baby girl'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.
This is the second backyard swimming pool tragedy to involve a young child in Gisborne this year.
A 16-month-old boy was found by family members in a pool at a property in Collins Street in early February.
St John officers carried out resuscitation on that occasion as well but the child could not be revived.
That incident was also referred to the coroner.
- Gisborne Herald
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