Heartbreaking images have emerged of the mother and her two children drowning, with police reportedly treating the tragedy as a murder-suicide.
Haoi Nguyen, 32, and two of his children, Mitchell and Hazel, ages seven and five, were pulled unconscious from the Georges River. after they were reported in the water near Shearer Park in Lansvale, in Sydney’s southwest.
Emergency services were called to the park’s boat ramp at around 10.15am on Saturday after reports a woman and two children were in the water “in distress”.
Locals desperately tried to save the family, jumping into the water and grabbing boats and jet skis as the trio became trapped in a fast-moving current.
The pier has since become a makeshift shrine in memory of the three lives lost.
Devastated family, friends and locals gathered there on Sunday afternoon for an emotional Buddhist ceremony in memory of Ms Nguyen and her children, where Buddhist monks led prayers and incense was burned.
Ms. Nguyen’s husband found out about the tragedy when he returned home from work and found the police waiting at his house. The couple also shared a one-year-old son, who was with other relatives in Vietnam.
Police are investigating reports that the mother attacked bystanders who tried to help the children, prompting detectives to investigate whether it was a premeditated act, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Haoi (pictured left), 32, and her two children, Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, drowned on Saturday.
Comes as I sawA deo has emerged of the two children playing on a swing and celebrating Hazel’s birthday.
There are also photographs of the two children playing on the beach.
Friends of the family also expressed their shock and sadness on social media.
“It’s very painful… my friend and my two children were suddenly lost today,” a friend of Ms. Nguyen posted on Facebook.
‘I just spoke to you two days ago (I’m) waiting for you to come back.’
TO GoFundMe The campaign, started by family friend Sarah Vu, had already raised more than $33,000 of its $40,000 goal by Sunday night.
A Buddhist ceremony was held on Sunday at the site of the tragedy in Sydney’s southwest.
Buddhist monks led prayers and burned incense as the local Vietnamese community rallied around the father.
People gather for the Buddhist service held at Shearer Park in Lansvale, south-west Sydney.
The local Vietnamese community has rallied in support of the heartbroken father following the horrific tragedy.
“A beloved mother and her two young children tragically drowned today in Lansvale, leaving behind a deep void in our hearts and a father and a baby who is only one year old,” Ms. Vu wrote.
I am fundraising on behalf of Hoai (32), Mitchell (7), Hazel (5), and Macario (1). We hope to raise funds to help the funeral and help the father care for young Macario in this time of grief.
‘Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. Thank you so much!’
Vietnamese Haoi, 32, and her two children Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, aged seven and five, drowned in the Georges River on Saturday.
Emergency services rushed to the boat ramp at Shearer Park off Hollywood Drive, Lansvale, on the Georges River, following reports that a woman and two children were in the water “in distress”.
Acting Superintendent Luke Scott of Fairfield City Police said the tragedy was “beyond words” and police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding how the trio ended up in the water.
“Police and several bystanders conducted an immediate search operation for that woman and two children,” Detective Scott said.
‘It is indescribable how tragic it would have been for the people who watched what happened and also for the family.
“Several passersby tried to rescue the children and their mother, but unfortunately they did not succeed.”
Flowers were left at the boat ramp near where the mother and her two children were first seen in the water.
The police began a major search and rescue for the two children, however, the couple was found hours later near the pier.
Detective Scott said police are investigating whether the children were swimming or fell, and whether the mother jumped in to rescue them, among other possibilities.
It is understood the young family, believed to be from the Fairfield area, were playing at Shearer Park before walking towards the jetty at around 10am.
Haoi was pulled from the water and locals performed CPR on the 32-year-old before police and paramedics arrived.
Mitchell Nguyen is seen enjoying a day at the beach as family friends wrote about their shock over the tragedy.
Hazel Nguyen is seen enjoying a day at the beach as her shocked family and friends mourn her.
A major search was launched for the missing children, which included 100 emergency services staff.
The bodies of Mitchell and Hazel were found around 2 p.m. a few meters from the pier where they fell.
A report will be prepared for the coroner’s information in relation to the three deaths.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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