Boy, 3, dies after being found face down at popular lagoon

A three-year-old boy has died after being pulled from the water at a popular Gold Coast swimming area.

The toddler was reportedly missing for 30 minutes before being located by two members of the public in Ian Dipple Lagoon on the Gold Coast Broadwater on Friday morning.

Queensland Police said emergency services were called out to the busy swimming spot off Labrador at about 9am.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Paul Young said it is believed the boy had been under water for 15 minutes before being discovered by the bystanders.

The boy was pulled from Ian Dipple Lagoon on the Gold Coast on Friday morning. Source: Google Maps
The boy was pulled from Ian Dipple Lagoon on the Gold Coast on Friday morning. Source: Google Maps

The boy was found in a critical condition and rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital but sadly died.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Mr Young said the tragedy "so close to Christmas" was a painful reminder to keep an eye on children in the water.

"When you're in the water just be mindful of where your kids are during this holiday," he said.

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