River float almost ends in tragedy

Wagga police duty officer, Inspector Beth Cullen, said the group of seven set off from Wagga Beach yesterday morning with the intention to float to their campsite at Kohlhagan's Reserve, Yarragundry. 

The seven people -  including four children aged between eight and 13 - left the beach about 10.30am.

The group were using canoes, small inflatable boats and blow-up thongs to enjoy Australia Day on the water. 

But, the fun almost turned to tragedy when the group became separated and darkness began to fall.

Inspector Cullen said one of the adults and two children went to the riverbank in the Ashmont area about 8.30pm.

At that time, the rest of the group were about half-a-kilometre downstream and were unable to communicate with them. 

Police were notified just before midnight the four were unaccounted for, sparking what Inspector Cullen described a "significant" land  and water search. 

Police, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, members of the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and Ambulance Rescue scoured the area.

They were located on the riverbank at a property off Armstrong Road about 2.30am. 

"(They) pulled into the bank when it became dangerous after dark and awaited rescue," Inspector Cullen said.

"Fortunately the children were wearing life jackets."

Inspector Cullen said the group had done the right thing by waiting to be rescued but warned those planning to float to be aware of how long the trip might take. 

8.30am: A FLOAT down the Murrumbidgee on Australia Day almost ended in tragedy for a family of seven.

The group planned to float from Wagga Beach to their campsite at Yarragundry, but couldn’t get to shore and continued downstream. 

Four family members were able to get to safety late last night, but the other three were unaccounted for.

The trio was found safely at about 2.30am this morning after a police search.

The incident comes a week after 19-year-old Chris Sahn drowned at Wagga Beach.