A toddler, who almost drowned at a rural property near Singleton at the weekend, has awoken almost unscathed.

The boy was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in a critical condition on Saturday, January 26, after his mother found the three-year-old on the bottom of a backyard pool, at Putty, at about 3pm.

NSW Ambulance paramedics and officers from Hunter Valley Police District (HVPD) also attended the scene.

“It’s amazing that he’s fine,” Sergeant Ryan Froml said.

“I believe he spent approximately six minutes underwater.

“That, in itself, is unbelievable.

“But, full credit must go to his mum, who pulled the boy from the pool and began CPR.

“Otherwise, it could have been tragic.”

It was only in December that HVPD urged residents to be mindful of water safety, especially over the school holiday period. 

“A lot of us have kids and it breaks our heart when we see families grieving for a child who has just drowned,” Acting Superintendent Jo Schultz said at the time.

“But, sadly, over the summer months emergency services receive an increase in calls to children drowning, as well as near-drownings, in backyard pools and dams.

“Unfortunately, police find that many of these tragedies could have been prevented by heeding safety messages.

“So, if you’re a parent or carer, watch your children.”

Parents are encouraged to download the Royal Life Saving ‘Home Pool Safety Checklist’ at https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/4641/HomePool_A4Checklist2009_LR.pdf