Coroner rules four-year-old girl died in Tauranga fountain drowning

Tuesday 21 October 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Tue 21 Oct 2025, 7:52am

In this story Matthew Bates

Coroner Matthew Bates has ruled that Nia Lohchab died from accidental drowning in a Memorial Park fountain in May 2023. The coroner expressed concern that at least three people saw the child floating face down in the water but did not attempt to help her.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldTue 21 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Accidental drowning: Coroner ‘troubled’ that bystanders didn’t pull 4-yr-old Nia Lohchab from Tauranga Memorial Park fountain and try to revive her (opens in new tab)

2. StuffTue 21 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   At least three people saw child floating face down in fountain pool but no one tried to help her (opens in new tab)

3. RNZTue 21 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner dismayed bystanders looked on as child was face down in fountain (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZTue 21 Oct 2025, 7:52am

   Four-year-old drowned after climbing into public fountain (opens in new tab)