7NEWS Monday February 23, 2004
Good Evening, I'm Indira Craig
7-year-old Boy Drowns during Family Outing
Tonight the drowning of a 7-year-old Wesley student is being called a tragic and unfortunate accident.
Raymond Reynolds drowned yesterday afternoon at the popular river spot known as
"Butcher Burns" located at mile 19 on the Western Highway.
It was an accident, as unpredictable as the river currents that took him in - but his attentive mother blames it all on one little change from the norm.
Keith SwiftReporting,
This adorable photo taken a few months ago at Christmas is now the only memory of 7-year-old Raymond Reynolds. The infant II student died yesterday during Sunday outing with his family. His mother is Tricia Reynolds.
Tricia Reynolds, Raymond's Mother
"I don't what to say cause I didn't expect this to happen. I don't usually take them there. I just said let me change it and (sobbing).
Keith Swift,
"Do you think this tragic accident could have been avoided?"
Tricia Reynolds,
"Maybe if I didn't take them there. I usually take them somewhere else so maybe if I didn't take them to 19 miles. I almost always take them somewhere else but I choose to take them there yesterday." (Sobbing and hugged by young daughter)
Tricia Reynolds is in tears, her son Raymond drowned yesterday. Raymond's older brother JR and neighbor Sharon watched as he was swept away by the current.
Sharon Wade, 12 yrs, Neighbor
"The three of us were holding hands and we just got separated. I managed to reach near a tree then JR reached near a tree too. We both started hollering for Raymond but we didn't see him anymore and then underneath some board I saw him. I told JR I saw him there but I never saw him again."
"JR", 11 yrs, Raymond's Brother
"I went into the water looking to see if I could see him but I didn't so I came out back."
Raymond went under and when he did resurface the Wesley Primary School student was already dead. Tonight they are memories and some regret.
Tricia Reynolds,
"Sunday when I have day off I usually take them to go swim but today I changed the route. Once I am not working I take them to swim so that's why I did it.
Keith Swift,
"What kind of boy was Raymond?"
Tricia Reynolds,
"Ray was a loving little boy. When he came home from school he would always run to my granny Miss Rose or Miss Ellenor and he would always take something for them."
Jennifer Flowers, Raymond's Grandmother
"He was a very loving boy, caring and thing. You give him anything and would say thanks."
Funeral arrangements are stalled pending the results of a post mortem.
Raymond was the third of 6 children.