Nine-year-old boy drowns after entering drainpipe in Katherine, Northern Territory
Quick Look
- A nine-year-old boy drowned after entering a drainpipe in Katherine, Northern Territory.
- Police were alerted at 5:15pm yesterday and deployed divers who located the child at 1:45am.
- The family is receiving support, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Authorities in the Northern Territory have run a long-running campaign warning children about the dangers of playing in pipes and drains, particularly during the wet season.
A nine-year-old boy has drowned after entering a drainpipe in the Northern Territory town of Katherine, NT Police say.
About 5:15pm yesterday, it was reported a boy had "entered a drainpipe at Katherine Low Level and not resurfaced", police said in a statement,
"Police attended the scene and deployed divers who located the child at 1:45am," they said.
NT Police Commander Neil Hayes said the child's family was at the scene and they are now being provided with support.
"This is an incredibly tragic incident, and we are providing welfare to the attending members," he said.
"Our thoughts are with the boy’s family."
He said a report on the death would be prepared for the coroner.
A long-running campaign across the NT has warned children of the dangers of playing in pipes and drains, particularly in the wet season.
Open Questions
- What specific safety measures were in place at the drainpipe location?
- Will the coroner's report lead to any public safety recommendations or infrastructure changes?
