Two drown on rural property

A WOMAN and a 3yearold child drowned after a tractor plunged into a reservoir on a rural property in North Otago yesterday, police have confirmed.

The incident happened about 5pm when a woman driving a tractor and trailer lost control of the vehicle and drove into the reservoir on a rural property in the Waihemo area, near DunbackMorrisons Rd.

Police said in a statement last night a scene examination was continuing, and the Police National Dive Squad had been called in to help.

No further information was available late last night.

Chief pilot Graeme Gale confirmed Otago Regional Rescue Helicopters had been called out to the farm, but could not give any details on what happened.

Police, fire crews and St John also attended the scene.

A Dunback woman who did not want to be identified said she knew the woman and her family.

They were ‘‘lovely’’, ‘‘really hard workers’’, and ‘‘really nice people’’, she said.

‘‘It’s terrible, it’s really terrible.’’

It was the second tragedy to strike the Dunback farming community in the last few months, the woman said.

Palmerston farmer Craig Porter died on a Dunback property in June, after his ute rolled.

The vehicle’s other occupant sustained serious injuries.