Heartbreaking images have emerged of the two children who drowned in a horrific tragedy in Sydney’s southwest on Saturday.
Hoai Doan, 32, a mother of three, and two of her children, Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, ages 7 and 5, were pulled unconscious from the Georges River near Shearer Park in Lansvale.
Emergency services were called to the park’s boat ramp at around 10.15am after reports a woman and two children were in the water “in distress”.
Bystanders desperately tried to rescue the family, jumping into the water and grabbing boats and jet skis after the trio became trapped in a swift current, but were unable to save them.
Now images of the little brothers happily jumping hand in hand down the street have appeared on social media, shared by family friend Sarah Vu, who launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise cash for his devastated family.
“I can’t believe the fund raised more than expected. I would like to sincerely thank all the contributions from the community,” Ms Vu wrote alongside the video.
“The family has decided to bring his sister and her two children back to Vietnam.”
The GoFundMe has already raised more than $47,512, surpassing its initial goal of $40,000.
Vietnamese Hoai, 32, and her two children Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, aged 7 and 5, (pictured) drowned in the Georges River on Saturday.
Friends have expressed shock at the death of mother-of-three Hoai Doan (pictured right)
Mrs Doan leaves behind her partner and one-year-old son, Macario, who was with relatives in Vietnam at the time of the tragedy.
Police are investigating reports that Ms Doan attacked bystanders who tried to help the children, prompting detectives to investigate whether it was a premeditated act.
Her husband is believed to have He attended a Buddhist vigil at the site on Sunday night.
The family is understood to be part of the local Vietnamese community in Sydney’s southwest that has rallied around the devastated father.
Fairfield Acting Superintendent Luke Scott described the tragedy as “beyond words.”
Police investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding how the trio ended up in the water.
“Police and a number of bystanders carried out an immediate search operation for that woman and two children,” Superintendent 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.”
Superintendent Scott said police are investigating whether the children were swimming or fell, and whether the mother jumped in to rescue them, among other possibilities.
The family was part of the local Vietnamese community in south-west Sydney.
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”.
The local Vietnamese community has rallied in support of the heartbroken father following the tragedy.
It is understood the young family were playing in Shearer Park before walking towards the jetty at around 10am
Ms Doan was pulled from the water and locals performed CPR on the 32-year-old woman before police and paramedics arrived.
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 on the triple drowning will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.
