Toddler pulled unconscious from backyard pool in Thornton A toddler has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after falling into a backyard swimming pool near Maitland in the Hunter region on New Year's Eve. The 18-month-old boy was pulled from the water unconscious just before 7pm. Paramedics were called to the home on Woodlands Drive in Thornton and arrived to find those at the scene performing CPR on the boy. The toddler was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. A hospital spokeswoman said the boy's family did not want to release any further information about his condition.