‘Selfless and deeply devoted’: Family honour mother’s sacrifice in tragic drowning

A mother who ran into the Dandenong Creek to try to save her young son has been remembered as a “deeply loved and selfless” woman who would sacrifice anything for her children.

The family of 33-year-old Doveton mother Fariba Hussainzada say they will miss her and her 6-year-old son “beyond words” after the two drowned in a Dandenong Creek on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the creek about 3.45pm after a witness reported seeing a woman and child struggling in the water.

“It’s believed the woman went to the aid of the child and also got into difficulty,” a police spokesperson said.

A witness said the pair, who lived in nearby Doveton, were swept away after falling into the Dandenong Creek near Allan Street.

Police pulled them from the water and started CPR, but Fariba and her son Farzad died at the scene. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

“Fariba was a strong and determined woman, a caring mother who always put her children first and sacrificed everything for them,” cousin Saleha Hussainzada told The Age.

She said her family were still processing the devastating loss, as Fariba leaves behind two other young children.

“She was compassionate, selfless and deeply devoted to her family. Fariba was someone who cared about everyone around her, always ready to help and support others in any way she could.”

On Tuesday, Doveton College principal Deb Gibson said it was a distressing time for the school community.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of a student and one of their parents on Monday, and extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends,” Gibson said.

“Wellbeing and support is available for the family and has been arranged for staff and students at the school.”

Victorian Afghan Associations Network president Zabi Mazoori said the local community was doing what it could to support the young boy’s two siblings.

“They [the family] are currently being supported by their large family network and community,” Mazoori said.

“They are still in shock and looking after the two children that lost their mother and sibling. The community is also in shock about this tragedy.”

He said water safety remained an issue for communities that came to Australia from Afghanistan, and called for more to be done to raise awareness of water risks.

A witness who did not want to be named said that “by the time I went outside … the police had retrieved the child and were trying so, so hard to revive them. My neighbour and I stood at the park in disbelief.”

More than a dozen SES personnel attended the scene, which extended hundreds of metres from the Allan Street bridge to the end of Steven Street. A police helicopter was used to search for the pair.

Linda Thorpe, who lives in a home backing onto the creek, said the community was devastated and was taking extra care near the water.

“Everyone is driving slow today. They’re not driving like they normally do. [They’re] just going slow across the bridge and [feeling] really upset,” said Thorpe.

“I just want to sit and cry and cry and cry.”

Thorpe said the creek had been linked to other deaths and was dangerous after heavy rain.

“People don’t realise how fast that flows … with all that rain it comes flying through.”

Another local, Sayed Yousaf Hashmi, said he had seen a large number of emergency service workers searching the creek when he arrived home after work.

“All the neighbours came out. Women and children, they are all in [a] panic.”

Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said at a council meeting on Monday night: “Our hearts go out to those affected by this awful tragedy, including their families, friends and emergency services who attended.”

La Trobe MP Jason Wood said it was an unimaginable tragedy.

“Please take care around creeks, waterways, and fast-moving water, especially after recent rain,” he said on social media. “May they rest in peace.”

There has been a history of deaths in Dandenong Creek, including in 2018, when a badly decomposed body was found in the creek bed near EastLink and Greens Road.

In 2016, a cyclist drowned after slamming on emergency brakes while riding along the Dandenong Creek trail and falling into the water.

In 2014, three-year-old Ishnael Baqaie died after slipping into the water.

On Tuesday, the Dandenong Creek was flowing rapidly after rain in the morning.

Locals south of the creek on Dawn Avenue said recent rain meant the waterway was flowing faster than usual.

On Sunday, an eight-year-old child drowned in a display home swimming pool in Kialla.

With Lachlan Abbott

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