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National

Baby girl drowns in Queensland

February 5, 2012

An 18-month-old baby girl has drowned in a dam on a property 20km south of St George after paramedics were hampered in their response by floodwaters.

A call was placed to paramedics about 6.30pm, however with road access in the area cut off, a CareFlight helicopter was called to attend from Roma, more than 200km away.

Brian Russell from RACQ CareFlight said all medical services in the region were now having to be done by helicopter.

"Three paramedics tried to revive the young toddler but unfortunately without success," Mr Russell said.

Neither RACQ CareFlight nor the Department of Community Safety could provide the time that medical help arrived at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Police said the death itself was not flood related but a tragic accident.

"There is no evidence to suggest this death was flood related," the spokeswoman said.

"Sadly it looks like the baby may have wandered into a dam."

Yesterday, authorities ordered 3000 residents of St George to evacuate their homes ahead of an expected record flood.

A call was placed to paramedics about 6.30pm, however with road access in the area cut off, a CareFlight helicopter was called to attend from Roma, more than 200km away.

Brian Russell from RACQ CareFlight said all medical services in the region were now having to be done by helicopter.

"Three paramedics tried to revive the young toddler but unfortunately without success," Mr Russell said.

Neither RACQ CareFlight nor the Department of Community Safety could provide the time that medical help arrived at the scene.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Police said the death itself was not flood related but a tragic accident.

"There is no evidence to suggest this death was flood related," the spokeswoman said.

"Sadly it looks like the baby may have wandered into a dam."

Yesterday, authorities ordered 3000 residents of St George to evacuate their homes ahead of an expected record flood.