A family and close-knit community are in shock after a three-year-old girl died from injuries sustained when a war memorial fell on top of her on Saturday (November 26).

On a visit from south-west Sydney, the toddler was at Black Head Bowling Club with her family to attend a 50^th birthday at the club with extended family and friends. Still early in the evening, she and a group of children were playing around the sandstone memorial at the registered club at the time of the tragic accident.

“Another child was climbing on top of the war memorial and it appears as though the weight of that child brought it down and another girl was standing behind that slab," Manning Great Lakes Command’s Superintendent Peter Thurtell told the ABC. 

Acting Inspector Troy Kauter said emergency services were called around 7.20pm while guests attempted CPR on the child. Paramedics took over and treated the child at the scene before taking her to Manning Hospital, but she could not be revived.

“It’s a horrible set of circumstances, so sad for the family,” acting insp. Kauter said.

Superintendent Thurtell would not speculate as to why the memorial, erected in 1997 to commemorate local veterans and service men and women, fell over.

“Police are still calling for witnesses. If anyone saw anything, please get in touch with police,” acting insp. Kauter said.

​Black Head Bowling Club was contacted and staff said management is preparing a statement. Officers from Manning/Great Lakes Area Command are preparing the brief for the Coroner.