A 38-year-old man is facing charges of manslaughter and negligent driving following the tragic death of a five-year-old boy who became trapped in a submerged car during NSW floods in 2022.
The incident occurred in Tullamore, north-west of Parkes in central western NSW, on 23 September 2022.
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Emergency services responded to distress calls reporting two vehicles swept away by floodwaters on McGrane Way.
One of the vehicles, a Toyota Hilux, became submerged at the Genaren Creek crossing around 5 pm.
The male driver and three other occupants, including a 28-year-old woman and a young boy and girl, were able to escape and cling to trees.
Tragically, the five-year-old boy remained trapped inside the submerged car and was swept away by the fast-moving waters.
A second vehicle entered the flooded crossing and submerged approximately two hours later.
The occupants managed to free themselves and alerted emergency services after discovering the family still clinging to trees.
Emergency services successfully rescued the family, who were rushed to the hospital.
Police found the young boy’s body inside the still-submerged car around 3.20 pm the following day.
Detectives from the NSW Police arrested the 38-year-old driver at Surry Hills police station in Sydney on Thursday.
The man now faces charges of manslaughter and dangerous and negligent driving occasioning death.
He is due to appear in court on 18 January.
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