The devastated father of two boys involved in a river tragedy at Moama on Thursday night, says he feels "numb" about the possibility of losing one son and almost losing another.
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"It hasn't really sunk in for me it's like a dream. What hurts most is I've never met [the five-year-old], now I [may] never [meet] him.
"I don't want to bury him, he's meant to bury me."
A 27-year-old woman has been extradited to NSW after she allegedly tried to drown her two sons in the Murray River, leaving one boy in hospital and police searching the water for the second.
The man, who relocated from Victoria to Queensland last year, told Fairfax Media that he separated from the mother when the older boy was aged "two or three", but was in an on and off relationship with her in the years following.
"It's really hard because I haven't been in their life for years," the man said.
"I'm numb, I'm calm, I'm letting the authorities deal with it," he said, between tears. "No words could express what my thoughts are towards her."
He said he "tried to work things out" and the couple got back together for the sake of his nine-year-old son in 2011, but only for a few months.
By the time the five-year-old boy was born, whom he also said was his child, he said he was out of the picture.
The man said he feared the worst for his youngest boy. The five-year-old remains missing in the Murray River.
"I'm hoping for [for nine-year-old boy] that he survives," he said.
"The medical update is that when the dogs bit him, he took in a bit of water."
The man said he had made attempts over the years to stay in contact with the children, but did not want to drag them through the court system to fight over custody.
"I don't know, it's been difficult, because of the separation and arguments [with the mother]," he said.
"My parents went through court with us kids, didn't want the same results with my kids.
The father of the boys, who for legal reasons can not be identified. Photo: Facebook
"Every child deserves to be happy, but every child needs a parent.
"I haven't spoken to the grandparents as yet. I'm not here to blame the grandparents, it wasn't their fault, but I still don't even know what she was thinking."
About 18 months ago, the boys were put in the full-time care of their grandparents.
"When I found out she was 'medicating herself', the boys were in her care, I was in Melbourne in a different relationship that was on rocky ground," he said.
"Best option was to have the boys with grandparents and not in the care of the government.
"I've been trying to get into contact with them via family. I've got a few photos of [the nine-year-old] when he was younger, but other than that nothing until now.
The man is being supported in Queensland by his partner and his brother. He said he would like to come to Victoria as soon as possible, and visit the nine-year-old in hospital.
"I'm hoping so, but funds are a bit tight, I'm hoping so."
