Young child rescued as man allegedly attempts to drown son at Dampier foreshore

UPDATE: A Karratha father has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly tried to drown his five-year-old son in the ocean in Dampier, with police crediting a fitness group who intervened with saving the boy’s life. The horrifying incident unfolded about 6.15am on Monday after the man allegedly drove into the ocean at low tide. Karratha police officer-in-charge, Sen. Sgt. Paul Matthews, said police were alerted to the incident by bystanders — a fitness group doing an early-morning work-out on the beach — who witnessed the alleged ordeal. “The tide was significantly low so he’s driven out a fair bit and then got out of the car with a small child and ran toward deeper water where he tried to drown the child according to the people that called in,” he said. “Some members of the public who were on the foreshore doing fitness training were able to run down, struggle with the man, and retrieve the child. “I believe it was a ladies’ fitness group that intervened.” The West Australian understands one of the women in the group rushed over to the pair and punched the father several times to free the child. The boy was taken to safety and comforted by other members of the fitness group until help arrived. Sen. Sgt Matthews said the actions of the fitness group members were incredibly heroic. “I commend the bravery of the ladies that intervened,” he said. “Their actions probably saved the life of the child.” It is understood the boy, who was taken to hospital to be checked over, was uninjured but cold. A woman in her 30s was taken to Karratha Health Campus. It is believed she had injured her hand in the incident. Sen. Sgt. Matthews said the child was visibly distressed but was unharmed and has since been reunited with his family. The father, who was taken to hospital for assessment, has been charged with attempted to unlawfully kill, assault with intent to commission a crime, reckless driving and driving without a licence. He was refused bail and is due to appear in court at a date yet to be set.