Waihi baby drowns in rubbish bin

Photo / Martin Sykes

A baby has drowned in Waihi in a tragedy which police say serves as a warning to parents of the dangers posed by containers holding water to small children.

Sergeant Dave Litton of the Waihi Police said emergency services were called to an address in the Waikato town shortly after 12pm yesterday.

"It appears an 18-month-old boy has been playing in the back yard of his home and been left unattended for a brief period of time," Mr Litton said.

"The boy's mother has gone to check on him and to her horror found the boy with his head and neck submerged in a plastic rubbish bin, half full of rainwater, by the back door."

The child's parents rushed the child inside and tried to resuscitate him using CPR while a visitor called 111, Mr Litton said.

"Attempts by the parents, ambulance officers and a doctor to revive the boy were unsuccessful. The boy's death is not considered suspicious and has been reported to the coroner to establish the cause and circumstances of death."

Mr Litton said wherever possible, if people see containers of water around where children play, empty them out and keep young ones under as much direct supervision as they can.

- NZ Herald staff