Girl, 8, still in critical condition in hospital

A GIRL remains in hospital fighting for her life after a near drowning at the weekend.

In the latest tragic incident involving Townsville rivers and creeks, an eight-year-old girl was pulled from Bluewater Creek on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to a Forestry Rd property just before 4pm and paramedics administered CPR at the scene.

The girl was taken to Townsville Hospital in a critical condition, where she remains.

Child Protection Investigation Unit detective Senior Sergeant David Miles said investigations into how the child almost drowned were continuing.

Royal Life Saving Society Queensland executive director Paul Barry said rivers, creeks and streams accounted for the highest number of drownings across Queensland. He said a third of the 60 drownings in Queensland from July 2017 to June 2018 occurred in rivers, creeks and streams.

Mr Barry said Townsville had had its “fair share” of tragedies recently following the drownings of Rita Ndel, 9, and brothers Barak Austral, 5, and Jhulio Sariago, 3, in the Ross River.

“We know young children are vulnerable. They need constant, active supervision,” he said. Mr Barry said drownings were usually silent.

To reduce possible drownings, Mr Barry recommended people wear a life jacket when engaging in any aquatic activity, supervise children and learn the correct resuscitation process.

Mr Barry said the Royal Life Saving Society was looking to run educational programs in Townsville.