A 38-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter and negligent driving after a five-year-old boy died when he became trapped in a car swept away by floodwaters last year.
The boy’s body was found inside a submerged utility vehicle in Tullamore, northwest of Parkes in central western NSW, in late 2022.
On September 23, emergency services responded to reports two vehicles had been swept into floodwaters on McGrane Way.
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One of those vehicles, a Toyota Hilux, became submerged at the Genaren Creek crossing about 5pm.
The male driver and three others — a 28-year-old woman and a young boy and girl — managed to escape and cling to trees.
However, a five-year-old boy remained trapped inside the car as it submerged and was swept away in the fast-moving waters.
About two hours later, a second vehicle entered the flooded crossing and also became submerged.
The occupants freed themselves and alerted emergency services after finding the family still clinging to trees.
Emergency services used a boat to rescue the family before they were taken to hospital.
Police divers found the boy’s body inside the still-submerged car about 3.20pm the following day.
Detectives arrested the driver at Sydney’s Surry Hills Police Station on Thursday.
He was charged with manslaughter and dangerous and negligent driving occasioning death.
He was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court, where he was remanded in custody to re-appear at the same court on January 18.
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