Family Files Lawsuit After Tragic Drowning on Mother's Day
The heartbroken parents of a four-year-old boy who drowned in a lagoon in Melbourne's southeast are now taking legal action against the local council and state water authority. Ali Aminzadah was found unresponsive in the lagoon in Officer on Mother's Day in 2024 after wandering into the wetlands near his uncle's residence.
Allegations of Inadequate Safety Measures
In documents filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria, Ruqia Sultan and Nasir Aminzadah claim their son's death resulted from inadequate fencing surrounding the water body. The court documents describe the fence as consisting of slim vertical posts with thin wires strung horizontally between them, which they argue was ineffective due to the looseness of the wires and its overall poor condition.
The legal action names both Cardinia Shire Council and Melbourne Water as defendants, holding both parties responsible for the lagoon's maintenance. The lagoon was located just 50 metres from the uncle's house where the family was visiting.
Lasting Impact and Community Concerns
Since the tragedy, both parents have reported suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. They are seeking unspecified damages relating to past and future medical expenses and loss of earning capacity.
It's understood that Ali was non-verbal and had received an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis just weeks before the incident. His father, Nasir Aminzadah, previously described his son as a good boy who loved life and questioned why authorities hadn't addressed the fencing issue earlier.
Local residents have echoed these concerns, with neighbour Tammy Gauld describing the area as an accident waiting to happen. She noted that many young families live in the area and expressed concern about the attraction the water body holds for children who might wander away from their parents.
Both organisations have acknowledged the legal proceedings. A Melbourne Water spokesperson expressed deepest sympathies to the family while confirming they were undertaking necessary investigations. Cardinia Shire Council confirmed receiving the writ and stated they were taking the matter seriously while working through legal processes.
