Man drowns at Moore River, six others taken to hospital in school holiday tragedy​on September 30, 2025 at 8:57 am

A 38-year-old man has drowned and six others – including four children – have been taken to hospital after being pulled from the water in Moore River in a tragic start to the school holidays.

Emergency services, including five St John Ambulance crews, were called to the river mouth of Moore River, near the Guilderton Holiday Park, about 10.45am on Tuesday.

A WA Police spokesman said the group, comprising four children and three adults, were walking along a sandbank in the middle of the river before the tragedy.

“For unknown reasons the group have entered the water towards the end of the sandbank, and a 38-year-old man has slipped into the deeper section of the river, disappearing underwater,” the spokesman said.

“All seven people were pulled from the water by bystanders, shortly before the arrival of emergency services.”

The man was unresponsive and given CPR by paramedics, but died at the scene.

The rest of the group was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital for further treatment.

The WA Police spokesman said it was believed all seven were known to each other.

Witnesses told 9News Perth the group was “very much in shock” after being pulled from the water.

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