Shocking claims made as police investigate a 7mo baby's drowning in lake in Chatsworth Park, Gympie
Horrific claims have emerged after a seven-month-old boy died after being found unresponsive in a lake at a Queensland campsite.
Police said they were so far unable to explain the tragedy, but an avalanche of comments on social media have seen several people claim witnesses saw the baby being thrown into the lake by a man.
No one has yet been arrested or charged.
Police were not able to confirm any allegations as the matter is under investigation.
Any witnesses have been urged to come forward.
The baby boy was found in a lake at Chatsworth Park - located north of Gympie - at about 10.30am on Saturday.
The baby's mother first raised the alarm and pulled her child from the water.
He was rushed to Gympie Hostpial in a life-threatening condition but later died.
Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said on Monday that the circumstances surrounding the boy's death so far remained unclear.
'We're treating it as unexplained, that's probably the best term I can use at this point in time,' Inspector Mansfield said.
He said the baby was at the park with his mother and father, who were on their way home to North Queensland and had stopped to stay overnight, with the tragedy occurring the next morning.
'The mother of the child did retrieve the child from the water - it's been a very traumatic experience for her, clearly,' Inspector Mansfield said.
'Multiple people assisted with the CPR of that infant child at the scene and obviously later emergency services.'
Police cordoned off parts of the park on Saturday, including a playground and nearby campsite, as they continued their investigation.
Chatsworth Park is a well-used rest stop and campsite for highway travellers and has become a place where some homeless people stay long-term.
'Some people stay there permanently and some others are transient, they're just passing through town looking for a place to sleep and the council allows for that,' Inspector Mansfield said.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area, particularly between 9am and 11am on Saturday, including drivers who may have just been passing through.
'We have information that other vehicles were parked up in the rest stop area,' Inspector Mansfield said.
'They either left just prior or during, we just don't know until we speak to them.
'There were a couple of vehicles that left the scene who may or may not have seen or heard anything, but we just need to track them down in case they did.'
The Child Trauma Unit and the Homicide Investigation Team are assisting with the investigation. No one has been charged in relation to the baby's death.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

ABC News
3 minutes ago
- ABC News
Doctor Douglas William McCarthy admits sexually assaulting two teenage girls
A doctor charged with sexual offences against underage teenage girls has pleaded guilty to assaulting two of his accusers, as his court trial continues. WARNING: This article contains details some readers may find distressing. Douglas William McCarthy, 63, is on trial in the WA District Court on sex charges related to eight girls, most of whom were aged 14 and 15 at the time of the alleged offending. The court had heard Mr McCarthy allegedly paid girls for photos, and engaged in sexual acts with them, even keeping a "video library". On Monday morning, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual penetration involving one victim, and two counts of sexual penetration involving another victim. Both girls were aged between 13 and 16 at the time. But Mr McCarthy is maintaining he is not guilty of "persistent sexual conduct" involving those girls, which requires three or more separate incidents to be proven. His trial on those charges, and others involving other alleged victims, is continuing. Mr McCarthy largely practised as a GP in the state's South West region when he committed the alleged offences but has since been suspended. The pleas in front of the jury trial came after several days of evidence from alleged victims, both in police interviews and direct testimony to the court. One alleged victim who gave evidence to the court said she had "non-consensual sex" with Mr McCarthy three times and went on to describe one instance in a bathroom. "He didn't ask, he just told," she said. Another alleged victim said she was 15 when she went to see Mr McCarthy at his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her on a massage table.

ABC News
34 minutes ago
- ABC News
Croc wrangler Matt Wright pleads not guilty
Andy Park: Celebrity crocodile wrangler Matt Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. It comes more than three years after a chopper crash in remote Arnhem Land in the NT, which killed Mr. Wright's close friend and television co-star Chris Willow Wilson. ABC reporter Samantha Dick is there in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. She joined me earlier. Samantha, what is the background to this case? Samantha Dick: Hi Andy. Well, Matt Wright is the star and host of popular Netflix series Wild Croc Territory and TV show Outback Wrangler, where he offers a glimpse into the world of crocodile wrangling in the Outback Northern Territory. Three years ago, that all changed when a crocodile egg collecting mission went horribly wrong. A helicopter carrying Mr. Wright's co-host and friend Chris Willow Wilson crashed in a remote part of Arnhem Land, about 500 kilometres from Darwin, killing Mr. Wilson and seriously injuring pilot Sebastian Robinson. The tragic incident, it shocked the Northern Territory and devastated Mr. Wilson's wife and two young kids, but it's really what came next that is the focus of this Supreme Court trial. Matt Wright is facing three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice over his alleged behaviour in the aftermath of Mr. Wilson's death. Details of the exact allegations won't be revealed until later in the week in Corsh, but attempting to pervert the course of justice, it's a serious criminal offence and it can include things like influencing witnesses or providing false information to authorities. It also carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Andy Park: And what's the court heard today? Samantha Dick: Well, today, for the first time in months, Matt Wright attended court in person. So, we were waiting outside the Supreme Court of the NT up here in Darwin with a bunch of other journalists from around Australia. Matt Wright appeared, he entered the court, he was flanked by his wife and his lawyers. In court this morning, Mr. Wright was given the opportunity to formally enter a plea. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. This is not really surprising because Mr. Wright has previously denied any wrongdoing, but today really was the first opportunity for him to formally enter his pleas of not guilty. The trial is expected to run for at least three weeks. At the moment in court, lawyers are just having some further legal argument, ironing out a few things before court resumes this afternoon. Andy Park: What's expected in this case as we see it play out in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory? Samantha Dick: The case is really going to get going later on in the week. So, on Wednesday, a jury is due to be empanelled. And on Thursday, we're going to start hearing some evidence. So, that's when we'll be hearing a lot more information about the actual details of the case, and we'll be hearing from witnesses in the courtroom. Andy Park: In the Northern Territory, reporter Samantha Dick.

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Manhunt after man shot during ‘altercation' at property in regional Victoria
A manhunt is under way after a man was shot in a small town in western Victoria. Police say the a man was shot by another man during an altercation at a property on Kings Ave in St Arnaud, between Bendigo and Horsham, at about 7.20am on Monday. A man in his 40s was airlifted to The Alfred Hospital with a non life-threatening injury to his upper body, Ambulance Victoria confirmed. He is in a stable condition. 'It is believed the parties are known to each other,' police said in a statement. 'Police are currently making inquiries into the whereabouts of the other man, whilst patrols are conducted to ensure the safety of the community.' Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.