Over the Easter weekend, Australia has witnessed a shocking rise in drowning incidents, with a nine-year-old boy becoming the seventh victim. The child tragically got trapped between rocks at a New South Wales beach on Sunday. Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, described the weekend as the "worst" for drownings on record during this time. Most fatalities were attributed to strong ocean swells that swept individuals off rocky shores.
Tragic Drowning Incidents Claim Seven Lives Over Easter Weekend in Australia
Tragic Drowning Incidents Claim Seven Lives Over Easter Weekend in Australia
A nine-year-old boy's drowning at a beach marks a grim record for fatalities this Easter in Australia, highlighting the dangers of ocean swells.
Emergency services managed to retrieve the boy from South West Rocks, about 400 kilometers north of Sydney, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Earlier on the same day, a helicopter rescue revealed a father and son struggling in the water near Wattamolla Beach; while the 14-year-old was revived, unfortunately, his father did not survive.
In Victoria, ongoing searches are underway for a 41-year-old man who has remained missing since Friday near San Remo. Surf Life Saving New South Wales reported over 150 rescues since Good Friday, with Pearce attributing the spike in drownings to a mix of high temperatures, holiday crowds, and perilous ocean conditions.
Though forecasts suggest improving weather conditions, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, especially parents with children. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended condolences to the families affected and stressed the importance of safety near the coast. Drowning statistics compiled by Royal Life Saving Australia show that 323 individuals drowned across the country in the twelve months leading up to June 2024, with New South Wales accounting for nearly 40% of those tragedies.
In Victoria, ongoing searches are underway for a 41-year-old man who has remained missing since Friday near San Remo. Surf Life Saving New South Wales reported over 150 rescues since Good Friday, with Pearce attributing the spike in drownings to a mix of high temperatures, holiday crowds, and perilous ocean conditions.
Though forecasts suggest improving weather conditions, officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, especially parents with children. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended condolences to the families affected and stressed the importance of safety near the coast. Drowning statistics compiled by Royal Life Saving Australia show that 323 individuals drowned across the country in the twelve months leading up to June 2024, with New South Wales accounting for nearly 40% of those tragedies.
