The family of a six-year-old boy are navigating unimaginable grief after he tragically drowned in a neighbour's pool in a suburb of west Adelaide.
A Desperate Search Ends in Tragedy
On the morning of October 13, Jima Kon Jima was reported missing from a relative's home in Woodville West. An urgent search was immediately launched by police and State Emergency Service crews.
The desperate hunt came to a devastating conclusion hours later when a police helicopter located the little boy's body submerged in a neighbouring property's swimming pool. Despite paramedics performing CPR at the scene, they were tragically unable to revive him.
A Family's Heartbreaking Tribute
In the wake of the tragedy, family member Jane Erjok has started a GoFundMe campaign to honour Jima, whom she described as a 'beautiful soul'.
'It is with unimaginable sadness that we share the loss of our precious Jima, a beautiful six-year-old boy whose light, laughter, and cheekiness touched the hearts of everyone who knew him,' Ms Erjok wrote. She added that while his time was heartbreakingly short, the joy and love he brought would remain with them forever.
The campaign has so far raised nearly $4000, with proceeds dedicated to Jima's funeral arrangements and a memorial service. The family has expressed that no contribution is too small as they seek to give him a farewell that reflects the love he gave.
Community Mourning and a Symbolic Legacy
Jima's distraught mother was seen being comforted by relatives outside the home on the day of the incident. The local community gathered to mourn his loss at a candlelight vigil held a week after the tragedy.
Adding to the family's profound sense of loss, another relative, Taban Abel Aguek, revealed that Jima held a deeply symbolic place in the family's history. He was seen as the 'New Jima', named after a veteran SPLA officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 1991.
Authorities have confirmed that the pool where the incident occurred had all proper safety guards in place, including a fence. Police are treating Jima's death as non-suspicious and are preparing a report for the coroner.
