Father Charged in Shocking Attempted Drowning of Child on Dampier Foreshore

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A 26-year-old man has been formally charged in a disturbing incident that took place on the picturesque Dampier Foreshore in Northern Western Australia. The unsettling events unfolded on a tranquil Monday morning, when a father allegedly attempted to drown his five-year-old child in the shallow waters of the public beach.

The horrifying scene, unfolding around 6.15am, caught the attention of a women’s fitness group conducting a boot-camp session along the foreshore. The women watched in disbelief as a four-wheel-drive vehicle careened down the beach, the man disembarked, and a dreadful drama began to play out. One courageous member of the group took decisive action, punching the man and rescuing the child in a brave display of fortitude that resulted in an injured hand.


According to eyewitnesses, the scene was both traumatic and heroic. Despite the shocking incident, the young child emerged shaken but, thankfully, not physically injured.

Emergency services were called to the scene, and the accused was hastily delivered to hospital, which later served as the venue for his court hearing. That same Monday, the now-accused father was charged with an array of crimes including an attempt to murder, assault with intent to commit a crime, reckless driving, and driving without the necessary legal authorization.

The gravity of the charges led to the man’s first court appearance taking place from his hospital bed the following morning. The court proceedings were conducted via video link, bringing him virtually before the Karratha Magistrates Court. The legal proceedings have been adjourned, with the case set to be mentioned next at the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court in Perth on September 13th.