Boy Who Accidentally Drowned in Pool Was Weeks Shy of Turning 4, Family Says
Police in Australia said a 3-year-old boy, later identified as Dion Robbins, was found unresponsive in a backyard pool and later pronounced dead at the scene on June 14
In a GoFundMe, Sue Longstaff, Dion's aunt, said her nephew was trying to collect some toys when he fell into the pool
"He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly,' Lizzie Robbins, Dion's other aunt, saidA family in Australia is grieving after their 3-year-old boy drowned in a pool — just weeks before his birthday.
The incident occurred on Saturday, June 14, in the city of Palmerston in Australia's Northern Territory, said the Northern Territory Police Force in a news release.
Emergency responders received reports around 3:30 p.m. local time of a 3-year-old boy, later identified as Dion Robbins, found unresponsive in a backyard pool. Authorities said the child was administered CPR after being taken out of the water.
'Police and St John Ambulance attended and continued CPR; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene,' authorities said.
Officials have characterized the incident as an accidental drowning.
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Sue Longstaff, who was identified by news.com.au as the victim's aunt, created a GoFundMe on behalf of the child's family.
'Yesterday a family's worst nightmare became their reality, 3 year old Dion, a happy go lucky adventurous little boy used a stool to reach the pool latch and let himself in to collect some toys and unfortunately fell into the pool,' Longstaff wrote in the fundraiser description.
'There are no words to describe the pain of his loss, he was weeks away from celebrating fourth birthday,' Longstaff added.
As of Tuesday, June 17, the GoFundMe has raised over $10,000 in Australian dollars (more than $6,500 in U.S. dollars).
Lizzie Robbins, Dion's other aunt, remembered her nephew as a 'caring and loving little boy.'
'He had the most infectious laugh and loved his baby brother endlessly. They were the two amigos — always getting into mischief together," Robbins told NT News, as shared by news.com.au.
The Northern Territory Police Force said its Crime Command is investigating the incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
PEOPLE contacted Longstaff on Tuesday for additional comment.
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