Toddler Luka Huddle’s mum Karin breaks her silence over tragic drowning in Lara dam as final heartbreaking act of paramedics is revealed

The mother of a two-year-old child found dead in a dam has said her family are still ‘completely numb’ and their hearts are ‘shattered’.

Karin Huddle’s son Luka was found unconscious in a dam on a property on Goulburn Park Road – just a few hundred meters from his home in Lara, a town about 18 kilometers northeast of Geelong – late on Tuesday night.

The toddler went missing at 5.20pm and police launched a large-scale search for the boy, which included officers on foot and assistance from the Police Air Wing.

Luka’s mother, Karin Huddle, and his grandmother, Sharon Huddle, watched as officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Now Mrs Huddle has spoken of the impact Luka’s death has had on her entire family and how grateful they are to everyone who helped find him.

2-year-old Luka was found unconscious in a dam by rescue teams late Tuesday, shortly after his mother, Karin Huddle, reported him missing.

Ms Huddle has since opened up about the ‘heartbreaking’ loss and how it has affected her family

Mrs. Huddle told the Geelong Advertiser Luka meant the world to her and that he was taken ‘way too soon’.

“We are still so much in shock and completely numb, my heart is shattered, as is that of his grandmother and his extended family,” Ms Huddle said.

Luka’s grandmother, Sharon, said the paramedics who tried to save him held Luka’s body up after their futile efforts so the family could say see him one last time.

“They held his body up so we could say goodbye to him,” she said.

“When I hugged my grandson he was so cold,” Sharon told the Herald Sun.

Mrs Huddle thanked the officers who helped find her son and also gave a special thank you to the more than 200 people who donated to a GoFundMe established to pay his funeral expenses.

“We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us, from friends to strangers we have never met, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” she said.

Luka and his puppy, Poppy, had gone missing while caring for the family’s horses with his grandmother.

Luka’s grandmother, Sharon, watched with her daughter as paramedics tried in vain to save his life

While searching, Ms Huddle said they saw Poppy emerge from the bushes completely covered in water.

“I saw the dog come out of the alley…I saw her come out of the bushes,” Mrs. Huddle recalled.

‘I shouted at her ‘come home’ and I ran away. I’ve gone “where’s the dam?” because I saw that she is wet.

“We think: that dog has come out to tell us something is wrong.”

The toddler only made it a few hundred yards before drowning in a dam on a neighboring property.

The dam where Luka was found is behind some unkempt greenhouses on private property across from the Huddle house.

Despite paramedics’ best attempts at resuscitation, they were unable to revive Luka, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation is underway into the exact circumstances of his death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Karin’s cousin has set up a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral costs

Mrs Huddle said her son might not have died if there had been proper fencing around the property and has called for the overgrown weeds and grass to be preserved.

Her cousin, Erin Kester, described Luka as a “precious” and “beautiful” boy who was “full of life and energy.”

“Our hearts are breaking at the sudden shock of this event and the passing of sweet, beautiful, cheeky little Luka, who was always full of life and energy,” Mrs Kester said.

‘In May we had a family gathering at Karin, Luka and Sharon’s home, with our extended family.

“I was blessed to spend four nights with them in their home and share the joy and love of this beautiful little family.

“In the arms of the angels, our beautiful little Luka Jade Edward.”