A BALLARAT family has called for a popular wishing well to be fenced off after they claim their toddler almost drowned in it at the weekend.
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Adrian and Paulina Pedrotti have called for a permanent fence around the Ballarat Botanical Gardens wishing well after their son fell into the water feature on Saturday.
The Pedrottis say they were in the gardens with their two children, when they stopped to talk to a friend near the entrance opposite Pipers by the Lake.
They said their children ran off to play, when their youngest Will fell into the well just metres away.
Mrs Pedrotti said Will, almost two, approached the side of the wishing well and fell face-first into the water.
“He was going down ... under,” she said.
“We were watching – as soon as it happened I saw him go straight in.”
Mrs Pedrotti said her husband was at the water’s edge within seconds and plucked him from the wishing well by his nappy.
“He saved him,” she said. “He was closer ... otherwise for me to get to him he would have been gone.”
Mrs Pedrotti said the well needed to have a fence installed to avert a disaster.
“You can’t have a pool without a fence ... this is something you can just walk into,” she said.
A City of Ballarat spokesperson said the incident would have been stressful for any parent.
“Council officers have inspected the site, which has not had a history of such incidents,” the spokesperson said.
“Following the inspection, warning signs will be erected around three water features, including this one, in the botanical bardens.
“It’s also a timely reminder of the need to be vigilant at all times when children are around water.”
jordan.oliver@thecourier.com.au