The mother of a two-year-old boy who was found dead in a dam said her family is still “completely numb” and their hearts “broken.”
Karin Huddle’s son Luka was found unconscious in a dam on a property off Goulburn Park Road, just a few hundred meters from his home in Lara, a town about 18 kilometers northeast of Geelong, on Tuesday night. evening.
The boy went missing at 5.20pm and police launched a massive search operation for the boy which included officers on foot and assistance from the Police Air Wing.
Luka’s mother, Karin Huddle, and grandmother, Sharon Huddle, watched as officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
Now Ms Huddle has spoken openly about how Luka’s death has impacted her entire family and how grateful they are for everyone who helped find him.
Luka, 2, was found unconscious in a dam by rescuers Tuesday night, shortly after his mother, Karin Huddle, reported him missing.
Ms Huddle has since opened up about the “heartbreaking” loss and how it affected her family.
Mrs. Huddle he told the Geelong Advertiser Luka meant a lot to her and that he was taken away “too soon.”
“We are still in shock and completely paralyzed, my heart is broken, as are his grandmother and her family,” Mrs Huddle said.
Luka’s grandmother Sharon said paramedics who tried to save him lifted Luka’s body after her futile attempts so the family could see him one last time.
“They actually lifted his body so we could say goodbye to him,” he said.
“When I hugged my grandson, he was so cold,” Sharon told the Herald Sun.
Ms. Huddle thanked the officers who helped find her son and also expressed special thanks to the more than 200 people who donated to a GoFundMe established to pay the expenses of his funeral.
“We would like to thank everyone who reached out to us, from friends to strangers we didn’t even know, thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” he said.
Luka and his puppy, Poppy, disappeared while tending the family horses with their grandmother.
Luka’s grandmother, Sharon, watched with her daughter as paramedics tried in vain to save her life.
While searching, Mrs Huddle said they saw Poppy appear from the bushes completely covered in water.
“I saw the dog come out of the alley… I saw her come out of the bushes,” Ms. Huddle recalled.
‘I yelled ‘go home’ and ran. I said “where is the dam?” because I have seen that it is wet.
“We’re thinking that dog has come out to inform us that something went wrong.”
The boy only managed to make it a few hundred meters before drowning in a dam on a neighboring property.
The dam where Luka was found is located behind several neglected greenhouses on private property across from Huddle’s house.
Despite paramedics’ best attempts to perform CPR, they were unable to revive Luka, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into the exact circumstances of his death is underway and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Karin’s cousin has created a GoFundMe to pay for her funeral expenses.
Mrs Huddle said her son might not have died if there had been a proper fence around the property and asked that weeds and grass be maintained.
His cousin, Erin Kester, described Luka as a “precious” and “beautiful” child who was “full of life and energy.”
“Our hearts are broken by the sudden impact of this event and the passing of dear, beautiful, cheeky Luka, who was always full of life and energy,” Mrs Kester said.
‘In May, we had a family reunion at Karin, Luka and Sharon’s house, with our extended family.
‘I was lucky enough to spend four nights with them in their home and share the joy and love of this beautiful little family.
‘In the arms of angels, our beautiful little Luka Jade Edward.’
