I'm trying really hard not to jump to conclusions here, but, would you NOT check your septic if you had one? Sheesh. If that is where she was, I'm astounded she wasn't found a week ago.
ETA : Sorry, yes, jumping to the conclusion that it was accidental rather than malicious.
I wonder how you could fall in to a tank??? would be impossible in ours!!! Im amazed if it was open some how the owners didn't get a bad feeling earlier if it an accident.. Those poor parents!! All week Ive looked at my 18mth old and imagined how I would feel!!!
Just call me bizarre but given the only entrance to my septic tank is the size of the mushroom, why would you check your septic tank? People have uncovered septic tanks?
Deb Webber said something along the lines of she fell, drain and hole. One of mine was retrieved off a 100kph road when she was the same age. Her sister had opening the gate and let her out and thank goodness, people coming along the road at dusk with their lights on (and a horse float on the back) saw her and stopped. I so do not blame the parents knowing how fast and how easily this could happen. I was devastated that this happened but so thankful she was bought home. I also had a wee dog bought home (same road) by a Mongrel Mob member!
My mother will confirm that I also was retrieved off a main rural road as a two year old by the local priest who found me "going to Auckland" from way up North - as my twin sister had been taken to Auckland Hospital. I even remember it - in my red bloomers!
If only her parents can have her home - whatever the outcome - to grieve or to celebrate - is all I want for them and Aisling.
I've only lived with a septic for 18 years now (two different homes) and both have had lids roughly A0 size (for anyone familiar with paper sizes!), so about 1200mmx900mm, as well as a mushroom. In our previous home the kids next door dropped the lid into the tank one day - we had it emptied, retrieved the lid, and went to talk to the kids. Sigh. The lids we've had were both concrete, and heavy (and this one partially buried). But perhaps an older tank might have had an unstable lid? Perhaps the lid was broken, but partially buried? Who knows. I just know it would be one place I'd certainly search here, should a child go missing.
Didi, I'm with you, having had one of mine retrieved off of the main road (SH1, 100kph). It happens so fast. I'm not debating how quickly things can happen - and how far into mischief littlies can get. I guess I'm just expressing my ignorance - I didn't realise it was a rural or semi-rural area. I didn't realise the properties might have had septic tanks. I didn't realise that they perhaps hadn't been checked. I guess I'm also frustrated at the cry of 'abduction' when it is possible she was in a dirty bloody septic tank all along.
I hope her parents do get her home. Sooner rather than later. To grieve or celebrate. My absolute best wishes to them.
ETA : National Radio referenced a drain; so it may not be a septic tank at all. Sorry! And, Godspeed to Aisling.
They've found a body, the police inspector was trying not to cry, how truly awful
My uncle found the lid to his septic tank one morning - having living on his farm for almost 10 years - after a steer fell through it. Fortunately the steer got out.
The (concrete) lid had obviously broken years before (it was in the tank in pieces) and it had been covered with wood, then dirt, and grass had grown over it. He'd never seen it in the years he'd owned the property. It was easily big enough for a person (or steer) to fall through.
I'm just heart-broken for these parents, I can't even imagine how horrific this must be. The only thing I can think is that if I were them I would rather know, than not know, if you know what I mean.
Poor poor family - though at least they have closure.
On the septic tank thing (which apparently isn't applicable in this case) when I was very young apparently my mother went out into the back yard to get the washing in and found a hole about 18 inchs in diameter in the sandpit which was built over part of the septic tank. The top had collapsed - luckily not under my weight or that of my brother though she had nightmares about it for a while.
So, now the question is..... why was the manhole lid off the drain and how did it get back on??
Routine maintenance? Prank by other kids?
So unfair for the parents to have found her but have so much unanswered.
There are no bad questions only those that are not asked.
"You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed"
Drain checked a number of times but to be 40m down a 375mm (15") pipe it is not surprising she wasn't found earlier. Even if a camera had been sent down at that early stage I suspect they would have found a body even then with the amount of water flowing down it.
Closure now for the parents at least.
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so sad the police sound like they worked very hard to find her and even her own father looked in drain.... my heart hurt listening to the interview at 8am
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