December 30th 2024.
Over the weekend, there were six tragic incidents where individuals lost their lives by drowning at various beaches and swimming spots across Australia. This brings the total number of drowning deaths during the festive season to a concerning level. In the month of December alone, 33 people have fallen victim to drowning, prompting lifeguards to issue a warning about the dangers of being in the water during this time.
The most recent drowning occurred on Sunday evening at the Murrumbidgee River in South Canberra. A 21-year-old man, who was swimming with his family and friends at Pine Island, tragically lost his life. Despite the efforts of police divers who found his body a few hours later, the young man could not be saved. In another incident on the same day, a 38-year-old father passed away while trying to rescue his four children from strong currents at Carlton Beach in southern Tasmania. Although the children were rescued by life savers, the father could not be saved.
Earlier that day, a 55-year-old man also lost his life after falling 30 meters from the top of a waterfall in Cairns. Shockingly, data from the Royal Life Saving Australia shows that the number of drowning fatalities this summer is 10% higher than the five-year average, and is similar to the same time period in 2023. Stacey Pidgeon, from Royal Life Saving Australia, expressed concern about the high number of drowning deaths during this time of year.
According to Pidgeon, a quarter of all drowning deaths occur during the week between Christmas and New Year's. She emphasized the importance of being prepared before going to the water, such as packing life jackets and wearing them while boating or fishing. Additionally, she urged people to not overestimate their swimming abilities and to know their limits. Pidgeon also recommended visiting a local swimming pool to test one's abilities before going to a waterway or swimming area.
Research has shown that individuals over the age of 55 are among the most at-risk groups for drowning. Pidgeon explained that this may be due to older individuals being more active and engaging in activities like kayaking and boating, where they may not be aware of their limitations or assume they have the same skills as when they were younger.
Sadly, there were more drowning incidents over the weekend. In Western Australia, husband and wife Dr Mohamed Swapan and Sabrina Ahmed drowned while trying to save their daughter who was struggling in rough waters at Conspicuous Beach. In New South Wales, a man lost his life after being pulled from the water at Shell Cove. Pidgeon expressed condolences to all those involved in these tragic events and reminded individuals to call for help in an emergency rather than attempting a rescue themselves.
In these difficult times, it is important to remember the dangers of water and to take necessary precautions when engaging in water activities. Let us all make safety a priority and be vigilant when near the water.
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