Boy drowns in East Gippsland river as caravan fire tragedy rocks small country town

Two young boys have died in separate tragedies in regional Victoria within 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to the Angusvale campground in East Gippsland – between Bairnsdale and Dargo – on Friday to reports a boy had gone missing after last being seen in the Mitchell River around 11.20am.

Victoria Police said the boy was found dead in the water about 2.50pm.

Meanwhile, the small country town of Boort in north-central Victoria was left reeling after the death of a three-year-old boy in a caravan fire on Thursday evening.

On Friday, Boort District Health chief executive Donna Doyle described the fire on Lake View Street as an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Police said the child was from the Greater Bendigo area. He was visiting extended family who are long-time Boort residents.

“The family are totally devastated and wrapping each other in love and support at this time,” Doyle told reporters in the Loddon Shire town on Friday.

“They’ve just had Christmas and New Year and wonderful, amazing experiences with their families and friends and memories to cherish … forever now.”