Police are investigating the tragic possibility of a murder suicide after the discovery of a man\u2019s body in the Parramatta River on Saturday morning and police divers finding the body of his seven-year-old daughter six hours later.<\/p>\n
Emergency services were called to Bayview Park in Concord just before 11.45am on Saturday after passers-by saw a man floating face down in the water. Witnesses told police the man had been seen in the boat with a young child shortly before his body was seen in the water.<\/p>\n
He could not be revived.<\/p>\n
A worried friend also contacted emergency services an hour after the man\u2019s body was found with concerns for the welfare of both him and the girl. <\/p>\n
At 5.30pm, police confirmed they had found the body of a child in the river at Concord. Both are yet to be formally identified.<\/p>\n
Police sources have told The Telegraph that they are actively investigating whether the man murdered his daughter before taking his own life.<\/p>\n
Burwood Police Superintendent Christine McDonald told the media the man was believed to be in his 40s and the seven-year-old girl lived in the Westmead area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an absolute tragedy for the family and the community on every level,\u201d Supt McDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA mother in this situation who knows that her husband is now deceased, who also knows that a major search operation is under way for her daughter, her only child as I understand it, it would rock any mother to her core.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supt McDonald said the mother was assisting police with their inquiries.<\/p>\n
Police believe the man had hired the boat on Saturday. <\/p>\n
Supt McDonald encouraged the public to contact Crime Stoppers or Burwood Police if they had any information which could help with the investigation.<\/p>\n
Half of Bayview Park was taped off on Saturday afternoon, with some visitors to the park seen turning around and leaving after seeing the tape.<\/p>\n
Surf Life Saving redirected its Westpac helicopter from Coogee beach to Abbotsford to respond to the drowning. <\/p>\n
SLS chief executive Steven Pearce said they had received reports the drowning had occurred as a result of a boating accident.<\/p>\n
Mr Pearce said warned people swimming in the beaches and rivers to be vigilant after a horror day on the waterways.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been an unseasonably warm winter so far so people are still out on the water,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want people to be cognisant of water safety.\u201d<\/p>\n