A tight-knit community has been left devastated after a missing boy was found dead in a backyard swimming pool, just metres from where he was last seen.
Emergency services were called to a home in Woodville West, in Adelaide’s north-west, after the young child was reported missing about 11am on Monday.
The boy had been visiting relatives at the time, sparking a frantic search across nearby streets and properties.
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Police, SES crews, and the SAPOL helicopter were all deployed as concerns for his safety grew.
Tragically, the search came to a heartbreaking end just before midday when the child’s body was spotted from the air — floating in the pool of a neighbouring property.
Nearby resident Joshua Czerkies told 7NEWS he was shocked to see so many emergency workers in the street.
“Came home from work and I see coppers blocking the street I’m like … what’s going on,” he said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and pulled the unresponsive boy from the water.
The boys family are devastated by the loss. Credit: 7NEWS
Paramedics attempted CPR, but the young boy could not be revived.
The child’s distraught mother was seen being comforted by relatives and police at the scene as forensic teams began their investigation.
Authorities are now working to piece together how the tragedy unfolded, as the local community comes to terms with the loss.
More to come …
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