A driver has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a five-year-old boy in floodwaters in the NSW Central West.
Emergency services were called to Tullamore, north-west of Parkes, in September last year after a Toyota Hilux was swept off McGrane Way and into the water.
Police said the male driver, a woman and two children managed to escape, but a five-year-old boy became trapped in the car before it submerged.
The family wasn’t found until about two hours later when a second vehicle was swept away in the same waters and spotted them clinging to trees, alerting emergency services.
They were then rescued by boat before being taken to Dubbo Base Hospital for treatment.
A search operation began the following day, where police found the submerged Hilux with the five-year-old boy’s body still inside.
Following a lengthy investigation into the fatal incident, the 38-year-old male driver was arrested on Thursday.
He has since been charged with manslaughter, dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous and negligent driving (occasioning death).
The man was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court where he was remanded in custody to re-appear at the same court on 18 January 2024.
