A man has been charged over the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who drowned when his vehicle was swept away by water.
Joseph El Jer and Pam Hadchity were on a 445km road trip from Granville, Sydney, to visit Dubbo Zoo with three children on September 23 last year.
The Toyota Hilux was hit by raging floodwaters at Tullamore, northwest of Parkes, as heavy rain lashed Australia’s east coast.
El Jer, Hadchity and two of the three children were able to free themselves from the 4WD and clung desperately to trees as emergency services worked to rescue them.
Police divers found the body of the five-year-old boy in the submerged vehicle and he was driven to Parkes Hospital but could not be saved.
El Jer, who was behind the wheel, was charged with manslaughter, dangerous driving causing death, dangerous and negligent driving causing death after being arrested at Surry Hills Police Station on Thursday.
Joseph El Jer (left), 38, was charged Thursday with a slew of crimes, including manslaughter (pictured right is Mr. El Jer’s partner, Pam Hadchity)
He was refused bail to appear at Downing Center Local Court where he was remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday 18 January 2024.
A second vehicle had also entered the flooded crossing and submerged about two hours later, with the occupants managing to free themselves from the car before finding the Hilux’s passengers still clinging to trees.
A boat was used to rescue the family, where they were all taken to Dubbo Base Hospital for observation, while those from the second vehicle fortunately escaped without injury.
Photos from the rescue operation show the terrifying moments the family was rescued by emergency services.
The day before the tragedy, the parents shared videos of their family trip through the countryside.
The boy who tragically drowned celebrated his fifth birthday in March 2022, with photos showing the little boy beaming with his face covered in icing from his dinosaur-themed cake.
Heartbreaking videos on the family’s TikTok page showed the boy playing and dancing with his siblings.
Pam Hadchit (pictured carried by volunteers from the water) was found with her partner and two children
The boy’s parents and two younger siblings were rescued by SES workers and taken to Dubbo Hospital (photo: the family being lifted from the lifeboat)