NT Police and paramedics were called to a Katherine residence Sunday afternoon after an older child found a toddler unresponsive in a pool during a get-together at the home.

Police said an off-duty nurse attempted CPR before paramedics arrived, but the child could not be resuscitated.

“Resuscitation attempts continued but the little one was declared deceased at Katherine Hospital,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson in a statement.

“Losing a child like this is every parent’s worst nightmare and our thoughts are with the family.”

St John Ambulance spokesman Craig Garraway said the incident was “devastating” and affected the first responders.

“It’s a horrible thing to have to go through, all the emergency responding people, the families, the friends, you know, it’s just devastating,” he said.

“So, that impacts on all of us. And we just try and be vigilant where we can and try and reduce the risk to our young kids but sometimes these things unfortunately happen.”

Police are preparing a report for the coroner into the drowning death.