> At a Glance
> – A 3-year-old boy vanished from a Central Avenue home in Bundaberg on Jan. 6
> – Police found him unresponsive in an unlocked family car about 9:30 p.m.
> – Paramedics declared him dead at the scene; the death is not considered suspicious
> – Why it matters: A coronial report is underway as the community mourns the sudden loss
A brief afternoon search for a Bundaberg toddler ended in tragedy when the child was discovered inside a parked car just metres from where he disappeared.
The Disappearance
The blonde boy, dressed in a Spider-Man T-shirt, was last seen at the Central Avenue residence on Tuesday afternoon. Local emergency crews and residents scoured the area after Queensland Police issued an urgent missing-child alert.
- Search began Tuesday afternoon
- Involved Queensland Police, SES volunteers and neighbours
- Focused on streets surrounding the Central Avenue property
Discovery and Response
At around 9:30 p.m., officers located the child inside an unlocked vehicle on the same property. Attempts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead.
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn told The Courier Mail:
> “I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of the little boy at Thabeban yesterday. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this sad time.”
Police stressed the circumstances are not suspicious and a coronial report will determine the final cause of death.
Key Takeaways
- The boy disappeared from a Central Avenue home on Jan. 6
- His body was found hours later in a car on the same property
- Authorities do not suspect foul play; investigations continue
The family has asked for privacy as the formal identification process begins.
