Toddler drowns in swimming pool

A 23-month-old girl drowned in a swimming pool in the Manawatu town of Marton in the second water fatality of yesterday afternoon.

The girl drowned in a swimming pool at her parents' home in Marton, 37km south-east of Wanganui, about 2.15pm yesterday, police said.

Attempts to resuscitate the girl were unsuccessful.

Police said the pool was well fenced.

In the same afternoon a three-year-old boy died while swimming in a river with other children at Ruatoki, near Whakatane.

Police said the child was swept downstream and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

There were no suspicious circumstances.

- NZPA