Tragic twist after two children drowned in Swan River on New Year’s Eve

Two children who drowned in Perth's Swan River on New Year's Eve had recently arrived in Australia as refugees from the Middle East.

The six-year-old boy and four-year-old girl were unconscious when they were pulled from the river around 5.25pm ​​on Sunday.

Police and paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and transported the couple to Perth Children's Hospital before the children died.

The children's families, who know each other, had recently left Syria, which is in the midst of a long civil war, for Australia, the Western Australian reported.

The girl's family, who live in Perth's northern suburbs, moved to Washington about seven months ago while the boy's family was visiting from another Australian state.

People who helped get the children out of the water next to the playground attempted CPR before emergency services arrived.

They did this in front of dozens of people, including young children, who had gathered in the park to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks.

The mother of one of the children fainted and suffered a seizure in the park after the tragedy on Sunday evening, witnesses said.

Police examined a wall near where the children were said to have been playing.

“We just have to let the family grieve,” WA Police Acting Commander Mark Longman told reporters.

“We … really have to take into account that we have two families here who have lost children.”

The Western Australian The newspaper said there had been many recent comments from parents asking for safety at the park to be improved and the board that runs the park said in its 2022 annual report that upgrading the playground was a priority.

The river bank drops sharply near where the children drowned, making it very difficult to see the water from the playground.

WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has called for an investigation into the playground and park, saying her heart goes out to the families and wider community affected by this tragedy. It's really heartbreaking.”

Ms Mettam said the WA Government must ensure the playground is safe and launch an independent investigation into the tragedy and “any warnings that may have been raised about better protection of children using the riverside playgrounds”.

She called for “transparency about the government's response, or lack of response, to any security alerts.

“The review should also consider what additional safety measures should have been taken for this event and any future events near the river.”

A couple who had been at the park for the fireworks said they halted their celebrations when they heard the two children had died.

They left a teddy bear with a map at the scene. “It broke our hearts,” the man said. 'It's terrible what happened.

“Just look at you… I hope people don't rush to judgement.”

Their card read: 'To both families. We don't know you, but as parents of young children we are sorry to hear what happened to you.

“You are in our thoughts and may the angels now hug your children.”

WA Premier Roger Cook said the tragedy was “a truly devastating incident, especially on New Year's Eve”.

A police officer is pictured at the scene in Perth where two young children drowned

“Every West Australian's thoughts are with the families of these two children. “I just can't imagine their grief,” he said.

'We will also ask Burswood Park Board to consider any changes that could improve safety in the area.

'I would like to thank the first responders for their efforts: paramedics, police and the public who helped.

“A report on the incident is being prepared for the coroner and, as always, we will scrutinize the coroner's findings.”