Thursday, January 20, 2011

Boy, 12, dies in Kiewa River holiday tragedy

A 12-year-old boy has drowned after his foot became snagged in a river in Victoria's northeast.

The boy, from the Geelong area, was floating down the Kiewa River at Mt Beauty in an inner-tube when police believe his foot was caught in a snag at about 3.30pm (AEDT).

Family and friends tried desperately to release the boy's foot, which caused him to be pulled underwater, but were unable to free him.

Rural Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the boy was not breathing when he was pulled from the river.

He said an off-duty community ambulance officer tried to resuscitate him until paramedics arrived.

Leading Senior Constable Peter Dilley from Mt Beauty police said this was a tragic death.

"Our thoughts are with the boy's family as they deal with this tragic accident," Sgt Dilley said.

The Kiewa River is not flood-affected or swollen.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

On Monday, eight-year-old Lachlan Collins disappeared while swimming in a billabong at Kialla West, near Shepparton. His body was found the following day.

In a separate incident today, a 56-year-old man is in a serious condition after being pulled from the water at Anglesea, in Victoria's southest.

A Life Saving Victoria helicopter on routine patrol found the unconscious man west of Point Roadknight about 5.20pm (AEDT).

The helicopter crew and members of the public helped him to shore and the crew treated him at the scene, bringing him back to consciousness.

"He came very close to drowning at a beach just around the corner from a patrolled location,'' Life Saving Victoria spokesman Greg Scott said.

The man was flown by air ambulance to The Alfred Hospital.

Source http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/paramedics-battle-to-save-boy-12-pulled-from-alpine-river/story-e6frf7l6-1225991933004

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Two more to be charged over Trevett murder

Businessman Adrian Trevett may have been killed, allegedly by his neighbours, over unfounded child sex allegations, NSW police say.

The 62-year-old went missing two months ago while on a cycling trip in the Gibraltar Range National Park, 45km west of Grafton.

He had been driven to Jackadgery on October 28 by a female friend and spent a night at a caravan park before riding to the summit of the Gibraltar Range.

Adrian Trevett ... went missing on a cycling trip.

Adrian Trevett ... went missing on a cycling trip.

The woman picked Mr Trevett up at Rangers Hut on the Gwydir Highway at Glen Innes on October 29, police allege.

Detectives travelled to Brisbane last week and arrested a 46-year-old woman who was extradited to NSW where she has been charged with his murder.

It's not known if it is the same woman who had driven him to the national park last year.

Three men, aged 25, 29 and 36, and two women, both aged 32, were arrested just after 6am (AEDT) on Wednesday.

Detective Sergeant Roger Best said the 25-year-old was the son of the woman who has already been charged with murder, and he is expected to be charged with the same offence.

The 29-year-old is also expected to be charged with murder while the two women are to be charged with accessory to murder.

Sgt Best said the mother and son were Mr Trevett's neighbours in Red Range.

When asked if allegations of child sex offences may have led to his killing, he replied: "We would suspect so."

"(The allegations) were investigated and police had serious doubts as to their validity," Sgt Best told AAP.

Police officers recovered a decomposed body in a ravine at Sandy Hill in the Girard State Forest, 30km east of Tenterfield, on Saturday.

The body is believed to be that of Mr Trevett but police are still awaiting the results of scientific analysis to make a formal identification.

Also on Saturday, the 46-year-old woman appeared before Armidale Local Court where she did not apply for bail.

She has been remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on January 10.

Source http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/two-more-to-be-charged-over-trevett-murder-20110105-19fyc.html