The heartbroken father of six-year-old Joey Vines has spoken out about the tragic death of his young son.
Joey’s father Steven told police that while they were searching for the young boy while he was missing, he would not answer as he was non-verbal and unable to call for help.
Police joined the frantic search for Joey on Sunday afternoon after he was reported missing in the Perth suburb of Booragoon.
Just 90 minutes later, he was found unresponsive in their neighbours’ swimming pool and tragically died later in hospital.
Steven said life would never be the same without his “beautiful boy”.
“He was a beautiful little autistic boy, who couldn’t yell for help because he was non-verbal,” he told 7News.
“He was a bloody special, special kid.”
“We loved him to death and everyone that was in his life, he melted their bloody hearts.”
Joey leaves behind five siblings, who have all been left devastated by the accident.
Steven said, “He couldn’t talk but we knew how to communicate with him. We loved him to death.”
The six-year-old had just started school again at a facility for special needs children and was coming along in “leaps and bounds”, according to Steven.
WA premier Mark McGowan offered his condolences to the grieving family.
“Obviously a shocking thing and we were all hoping for the best, but it didn’t turn out that way. So can I pass on all our thoughts to little Joey’s family,” he said.
Police say the death is not suspicious and a report will be prepared for the State Coroner.
Image credits: Nine News footage / WA Police
