Preschooler drowns in family pool

Police have described the drowning of a preschooler in his family's pool in Whangarei as tragic.

Acting Sergeant Andy Roberts said the 18-month-old boy is believed to have climbed the fence to the family pool at Parahaki about 7.30pm on Sunday.

"Parents and friends had not noticed him until he was seen floating in the pool. It's tragic," Mr Roberts said. "One of the family friends dived in and brought the baby to the side of the pool and administered CPR while an ambulance was called."

The boy was taken to Whangarei Hospital in a critical condition but later died.

Police said a post mortem would be done, and the case would be referred to the coroner.

The drowning was the first recorded by WaterSafety New Zealand for the Northland region in 2005, and the sixth drowning death nationwide so far this year.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)