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A nine-year-old boy has been shot dead after a gun being held by a relative unexpectedly fired in what police believe was a tragic accident.
Emergency services were called to a Windellama property, near Goulburn in the NSW southern tablelands about 11.20am on Sunday following reports of a shot being fired.
It’s understood a family member on the farm raised the alarm.
The young boy was treated at the scene for serious neck injuries but couldn’t be revived by paramedics.
Police sources say it’s believed the firearm accidentally went off while being held by another family member, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Officers will investigate whether the gun was being prepared to be transported back to Sydney at the time.
The family are originally from Sydney and had bought the property five years ago as a weekender, according to shocked neighbours.
It’s understood the family had just arrived at the farm for the start of the school holidays.
A boy has died after he was accidentally shot at a rural property near Goulburn on Sunday (pictured)
A crime scene was set up in the wake of the tragic incident
No arrests or charges have been laid with NSW Police describing the fatal shot as the ‘accidental discharge of a firearm’.
An investigation has been launched and will be assisted by experts from the State Crime Command.
Police spent much of the afternoon at the scene conducting inquiries as livestock wandered around the property.
It’s understood officers are still speaking with the boy’s distraught parents.
Shocked neighbours recalled hearing a single shot being fired, which they described as being unusual for the middle of the day.
‘We were outside and heard it, and we reacted to the shot … it was a bit perturbing really,’ Ron Wenban told the publication.
‘That was at 11.20am and then we heard the sirens, I reckon about 11.40am. Then the chopper came over at 12.03pm and that’s when I said: ‘Someone’s been hurt’.
‘It is school holidays, that’s the tragic part about it. It’s just really tragic.’
Goulburn state MP Wendy Tuckerman described the incident as ‘an absolute terrible tragedy’ as she expressed her condolences to the boy’s family.
Police believe the boy died when a gun being held by a relative unexpectedly fired. Pictured are police at the scene
Police (pictured at the scene) are treating the incident as a tragic accident
‘My thanks to those police officers and emergency services who attended the scene,’ the MP said.
According to the 2021 census, Windellama has a population of 413 which consists of 100 families and 316 private dwellings.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Police conducted inquiries as livestock wandered around the property on Sunday afternoon
It’s understood the family had just arrived at the farm (pictured) for the school holidays
