The search resumed at first light on Tuesday morning after no sign of the woman or baby was found. Police divers are expected to be called in to scour the Cooks River for evidence.
Police investigations will confirm whether the mother gave birth at that point on the bank of the river. They believe the material is too far from the road to have been thrown from the Wardell Road bridge.
That section of the riverbank is lined with mangroves and is behind a rugby field, away from the bike path and homes. The path to the road bridge is steep, so it is more likely she walked a few hundred metres around the river.
The Cooks River – which runs from Chullora to the airport – is not deep, but is known as one of the most polluted urban rivers in Australia. It was once the dumping ground for heavy industry, and toxic residue is embedded in its riverbed.
It is not considered safe for swimming, particularly after heavy rain.
An area near the Cooks River was taped off on Monday night following the discovery of evidence that a mother had given birth on the banks of the river.Credit: Jordan Baker
Police want anyone who might have seen a pregnant woman, or a woman in distress, near Lang Road or Wardell Road in Earlwood, or Tennent Parade or Ewen Park in Hurlstone Park, to contact police.
The pollution left the river almost devoid of wildlife – it was once dubbed the river that died of shame – before remediation efforts in the past few decades drew bird and fish life back to the area. It is a popular route for joggers and cyclists.
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Source Agencies
