Children injured after Qld pontoon flips

Ten children injured after a concrete pontoon flipped and landed on their head at a Queensland dam were cooling off in the water after a boot camp.

Ten children injured when a concrete pontoon flipped and landed on them at a southeast Queensland dam were swimming after participating in a boot camp.

The incident happened at the Baden Scout Camp at Samford, north of Brisbane, about 6.15pm on Tuesday.

Seven of the children were taken to multiple hospitals for injuries including shoulder dislocations, bruising and as a precaution for spinal injuries, Queensland Ambulance said.

It was initially reported that they were scouts, but a youth boot camp organiser says they were cooling off after finishing an army-style challenge.

Veterans For Youth (V4Y) founder Daimien Patterson praised an 18-year-old lifeguard, who was on-hand for the swimming activity, for ensuring everyone was accounted for.

"We're very fortunate - it could have been a lot worse," Mr Patterson told ABC Radio.

"He even dived under the pontoon to make sure no one was trapped underneath."

Mr Patterson said it was unclear what caused the pontoon to flip but added all children bar one had already returned to training.

"It's not going to deter us from continuing to help these kids," he said.

V4Y will investigate the incident in conjunction with Scouts Queensland.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Children injured after Qld pontoon flips | SBS News