Grieving Gore Dad marches in memory of his son Lachie Jones

Sunday, 23 May 2021

Gore residents march in support of Paul Jones and in memory of his son Lachie. Jones is pushing for more answers as to how his son died. (First published in May, 2021).

Lachie Jones would have been six on Monday.

Instead of getting ready to celebrate his birthday, his father Paul spent Sunday afternoon visiting the last place he was seen alive, and the site where his body was found.

It's a walk he often makes, but this time he was accompanied by about 50 people who wanted to show support for the grieving dad, who is still searching for answers about how his son died.

Three-year-old Lachlan Jones drowned in the Gore District Council's wastewater ponds in January 2019.

Lachie was found by a police dog and his handler at 11.15pm on January 29, 2019 floating face up in the Gore sewerage ponds, more than a kilometre from his home.

Gore residents march to remember Paul Jones’s son Lachie, who was 3-years-old when he was found dead at the Gore District council wastewater ponds in January 2019. Pictured Paul Jones, left, and march organiser Paul Bridgeman.

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* No police charges after child drowns in Gore District Council wastewater pond

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Police quickly concluded he had walked 1.2km from his house, climbed over a fence and drowned.

But Jones remains unconvinced his son’s death was accidental, saying there’s “no way” he walked that distance, down a gravel track and through long, prickly grass in bare feet, without getting any marks on his legs or feet.

In October 2020 police announced they would re-investigate the case, and Jones said he had recently been re-interviewed by police.

”It seems to be going in a better direction than the last investigation. I’m feeling more positive.’’

On Sunday, Jones and about 50 supporters walked the same path, from the playground on Salford St to the wastewater pond where Lachie’s body was found.

Gore man Paul Bridgeman organised the March for Lachie.

He doesn’t know Jones, but said he wanted to do the walk ‘’to put things into context, so people can see how far it is that they think he walked.’’

”I felt that it was a tragic thing, what happened to that wee fella, and I’m pleased the police have opened the case again, and this is a way to support him.’’

Police officers in patrol vehicles watched as the march headed down Salford St.

The Gore District Council had put two road cones on the bank of the sewerage ponds to mark where Lachie’s body was found.

Jones said the walk was ‘’not very nice, but he had to do it.’’

”It hasn't been easy, but Lachie would be proud today,’’ he said.

Gore district deputy mayor Bronwyn Reid took part in the march.

“There has been a lot of talk about this in the community and people want to show their support to the family. It’s just absolutely tragic when a child dies,’’ she said.

Jones’ father, Graham, said Lachie's death, and the fight for answers, had been tough on Paul.

“It’s just taken him down. He thought the world of him, Lachie was the son he always wanted and he loved him to pieces, and now he’s been taken away.’’