A four-year-old boy was found dead in a Southland creek yesterday afternoon after his family reported him missing.
A police spokeswoman said the boy was reported missing about 4.40pm from a property near Brydone after his family were unable to find him near their house.
The boy was found in a body of water at the back of the property by a third party about 5.20pm.
Emergency services staff performed CPR but were unable to resuscitate him.
The matter has been referred to the coroner.
The death comes after a three-year-old boy drowned in a Gore District Council wastewater pond last week.
The council is carrying out an "urgent review" of security and fencing at the pond after the death.
Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said the death was "every parent's nightmare".
