A TODDLER has been brought back to life by a bystander after a near-drowning at Harrietville.
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The 18-month-old Melbourne girl had travelled to the town’s caravan park with her family for the Bright Rod Run.
Her mother had been briefly distracted and the girl entered a branch of the Ovens River about 11.30am on Friday.
She was spotted after spending an estimated minute-and-a-half underwater.
When the girl was rescued by the member of the public, she was unconscious with no pulse and was not breathing.
The rescuers performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
She was placed into an induced coma before being taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne by air ambulance.
A family member said they were praying for the young girl.
Intensive care paramedic Patrick Gleeson said the CPR had saved her.
“This is an example of how knowing CPR can make the difference between life and death,” he said.
“This young child was sustained because of that technique.
“Without it, the outcome would have been inevitable.
“The child has now been flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“We’re all very hopeful of a good outcome.”
Initial reports suggested the girl had died.
While she didn’t have a pulse and wasn’t breathing, Mr Gleeson said this was considered a “near-drowning experience”.
“When we arrived the child was still in need of intensive care,” he said.
“She was still unconscious and pulse-less.
“We believe that the mother lost sight of the child for a short period of time.
“It certainly highlights the importance of keeping an eye on your children near the water.”
The incident followed a near-drowning in Everton last month.
A two-year-old girl was found floating face-up in a swimming pool.
Royal Lifesaving Society Australia national manager aquatic risk Craig Roberts at the time said supervision of young children was vital, especially around summer.
