Burswood Park Board to undertake safety review after two children drown in the Swan River

The Burswood Park Board has advised that it will investigate the safety of its riverside recreation site after two children drowned in Perth’s Swan River on New Year's Eve.

With hundreds of people having gathered at the park to bring in the new year, a four-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were found floating in the river, near a playground, at about 5pm.

The children were pulled from the water and taken to Perth Children's Hospital, but could not be revived.

Expressing its "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the children's families, the Board advised In a statement that the exact circumstances of the incident remained unclear, explaining “Burswood Park Board will be collaborating with (Western Australian) Police and the Coronial Investigation Squad to assist them with whatever information is required," the statement read.

"Burswood Park board places the utmost importance on ensuring the safety and well-being of all visitors to Burswood Park and will also undertake a review of the riverside area's safety, including the playground.”

While the playground at the park is fenced off, parent groups have previously expressed concerns about the lack of locking latches, which means children can open the gates themselves.

The riverbank directly opposite the playground has a plain wire fence stretching slightly longer than the length of the playground.

As reported by the ABC, witnesses have previously described the rush in the moments after the children were found in the water, as people tried to save the pair, pulling them from the water and performing CPR.

WA Police on Monday revealed the two children knew each other, but said no further details would be released while the coronial investigation was ongoing.

The Burswood Park Board is a statutory authority of the Government of Western Australia, responsible for the control and management of Burswood Park. 

Image: Burswood Park from the air. Credit: Burswood Park Board.