Heartbreaking images have emerged of the mother and her two children who drowned with police reportedly treating the tragedy as a murder-suicide.
Haoi Doan, 32, and two of her children Mitchell and Hazel Nguyen, aged seven and five, were pulled unresponsive from the Georges River near Shearer Park in Lansvale in Sydney’s south-west on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the park boat ramp at about 10.15am following reports a woman and two children were in the water ‘in distress’.
Locals desperately tried to rescue the family, jumping into the water and grabbing boats and jetskis after the trio got caught in a fast-moving current but were unable to save them.
The jetty has since been turned into a makeshift shrine in memory of the three lives lost.
Shattered family, friends and locals gathered at the boat ramp on Sunday afternoon for an emotional Buddhist ceremony in memory of Ms Doan and her children, where monks led prayers and incense was burned.
It’s since emerged that Ms Doan’s husband was told of the tragedy when he returned home from work on Saturday to find police waiting at his house.
The couple also have one-year-old son Macario, who was with relatives in Vietnam at the time.
Police are investigating reports that Ms Nguyen attacked bystanders who attempted to help the children, leading detectives to investigate whether it was a premeditated act, The Daily Telegraph reported.
It comes as video emerged of the two children playing on a tyre swing and Hazel blowing out candles on a cake while celebrating her fifth birthday.
Photos have also emerged of Mitchell and Hazel playing at beach when they were younger.
It’s understood the family were part of the local Vietnamese community in Sydney’s south-west.
Heartbroken friends have taken to social media to express their shock and sorrow.
‘It’s very painful … my friend and two kids (were) suddenly lost today,’ a friend of Ms Doan’s posted.
‘Two days ago I just talked to you (I am) waiting for you to come back.’
A GoFundMe campaign started by family friend Sarah Vu, had by Sunday night already raised more than $33,000 towards its $40,000 goal.
‘A beloved mother and her two young children tragically drowned today in Lansvale. leaving behind a profound void in our hearts and a father and baby who is only 1 years old,’ Ms Vu wrote.
I am fundraising on behalf of Hoai (32), Mitchell (7) and Hazel (5) and Macario (1). We hope to raise funds to aid the funeral and to assist the father to look after young Macario in this time of grief.
‘Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. Thank you so much!’
Fairfield acting Superintendent Luke Scott described the tragedy as ‘beyond words’.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding how the trio ended up in the water.
‘Police and a number of bystanders conducted an immediate search operation for that female and two children,’ Supt Scott said.
‘It’s beyond words, how tragic it would have been for people who observed what happened and also for the family.
‘A number of the bystanders made their own attempts to rescue the children and their mother but unfortunately they weren’t successful in that.’
Superintendent Scott said police are investigating whether the children were swimming or fell in, and if the mother jumped in to rescue them among other possibilities.
It’s understood, the young family, believed to be from the nearby Fairfield area were at Shearer Park playing before walking down to the boat jetty at about 10am.
Haoi was pulled from the water, with locals performing CPR on the 32-year-old before police and paramedics arrived.
A major search, including 100 emergency services personal, was launched in search of the missing children.
Mitchell and Hazel’s bodies were found at about 2pm just metres from the jetty where they fell.
A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner in relation to the triple drowning.
Anyone with information about relating to this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636.