Coroner examines pool fence safety after boy's drowning

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 08:03 · Archive

A three-year-old boy drowned in a backyard pool after climbing a stool to reach a gate latch, prompting questions about fencing compliance in Australia's Northern Territory.

Three-year-old Dion Robbins drowned in a backyard swimming pool at his family's rented home in the Darwin suburb of Moulden in June 2025. His father had fallen asleep after lying down with Dion to watch a film. When he woke, Dion was gone. The father found his son floating face down in the pool with a tipped-over stool beside the latched gate.

Forensic examination showed what appeared to be small footprints in dust on the stool's seat, and evidence indicated Dion was tall enough to reach the gate latch while standing on it. Four months before his death, an inspection of the pool fence had found rust damage and that the gate was not self-closing and needed contractor repairs. A Pool Fencing Unit inspection 45 days after Dion's death found multiple compliance issues.

Counsel assisting Fiona Kepert told the inquest that the Northern Territory needed a more robust compliance system in line with other jurisdictions. She noted that hinges and latches wear out in the Territory's climate and can fail without warning. The inquest will examine pool fence safety standards. Since July 2002, 597 children aged four and under have drowned in Australia, just over half in swimming pools.

How it is being reported

• Pool fence safety in focus amid adventurous boy's deathA coroner will examine pool fencing compliance following the drowning of a three-year-old boy in a backyard swimming pool.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 07:41
• Pool fence safety in focus amid adventurous boy's deathA coroner will examine pool fencing compliance following the drowning of a three-year-old boy in a backyard swimming pool.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 07:41

In this story: Dion Robbins · Fiona Kepert · Darwin · Moulden · Northern Territory · Australia

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