Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Life Saving Victoria

Calls for more caution after four people drown in Victoria at beginning of 2022

Water safety authorities are warning everyone to be smart and safe around the water to avoid turning holidays into casualties.

By news@gippsland - 2nd January 2022 - Back to News

There's been a horror start to 2022, with four people losing their lives to drowning in Victoria since New Year's Eve. On Friday, a toddler passed away in hospital after being found unresponsive in a Footscray pond earlier in the week, along with a woman whose body was recovered by police after she was washed into the sea while rock fishing with family in Punchbowl.

The greatest risk any time you're near the water is drowning and after new year's drownings, the community and visitors around are being warned of the dangers of waterways following a spate of drownings in Victoria

More emergency services are called

Today has seen three further fatal drownings, with a seven-year-old boy's body being recovered by police search and rescue divers from the Snowy River in the state's east this morning, after we went missing while swimming yesterday.

Shortly after this, emergency services were called to Princetown, after three swimmers were reported in distress in rough conditions to the east of the Gellibrand River mouth. Although a local private helicopter was able to rescue the trio and commenced CPR on one of the swimmers, tragically, a 35-year-old male died at the scene.

These incidents bring the drowning toll this financial year to date to 25, including 9 since summer started - four and three more fatal drownings than the 10-year averages for those periods, respectively.

Urging Victorians to stop and think

Tragically, half of the drownings in the past 72 hours involved children aged 0 - 14 years. In addition to the fatalities, lifesavers have undertaken 44 rescues during the past 72 hours - each of which could have had a very different outcome if lifesavers weren't there.

Life Saving Victoria general manager lifesaving services Liam Krige said authorities were pleading with Victorians to take water safety seriously to prevent further tragedies. "The last thing we want to see is festivities turn into fatalities, but tragically, five people have died from drowning since New Year's Eve and seven since Christmas - it's an absolutely horrible start to 2022."

"We know people are keen to let loose and relax after another tough year, because we're urging Victorians to stop and think about the risks around water before they find themselves in trouble. It's clear people aren't taking the risks around water seriously, and we're incredibly concerned we're going to see further devastation in and around our waterways." Mr Krige said.

Make safety your priority

Mr Krige said, "People think drowning will never happen to them. But drowning can happen to anyone, and if you don't make safety your priority around water, it could happen to you. It only takes seconds for things to get out of hand, so while you're relaxing these holidays, remember to never relax your vigilance around water."

"While we've seen a horror spate of drownings during the past 72 hours, the good news is that drowning is preventable and there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe."

"This includes swimming at patrolled locations during times that lifesavers are present wherever possible, knowing and sticking to your limits, avoiding alcohol and other drugs around water, and constant and active adult supervision of children around water." Mr Krige continues.

Caution around water is a must

Mr Krige also commented, "Twenty seconds is all it takes for a child to drown in just a few centimetres of water, so remember to keep kids under five within arm's reach, and under 10s in eyesight. If you're planning on boating or fishing, remember that lifejackets save lives, so put on a well-fitted and properly maintained lifejacket before you head out, go out with a mate, and make sure you let someone know where you're going and when you'll be home."

"Half of all fatal drownings during the past decade resulted from unintentional entry into water, so even if you don't plan on going in, never turn your back on the sea and be cautious of rough waves or slippery or unstable waterway edges."Mr Krige added.

Being safe and smart

Mr Krige also said, "If there's one thing we want people to remember when they're around water, it's that anyone can drown, but no one should, so be safe and smart around water and make this new year one to remember for the right reasons."

"This spate of fatal drownings comes after lifesavers, police and the Bureau of Meteorology warned of the perfect storm for water safety with heat wave conditions across the state coinciding with the new year's long weekend." Mr Krige concluded.

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria blogs.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project begins, for safer, more accessible visitor experience from $9.6M shared investment
  Work has begun on the $9.6 million Cowes Foreshore Precinct Project, delivering staged upgrades to create a safer, more accessible, pedestrian-friendly destination while supporting businesses and preserving Cowes' vibrant visitor appeal.
• Gippsland Water launches Community Emergency Support Team to assist and support locals during emergencies
  Gippsland Water has launched a Community Emergency Support Team to provide safe water, information, and local assistance during bushfires, floods, storms, and power outages, working alongside emergency services and communities.
• Gippsland Water invests $550,000 to upgrade Peterkin Street sewer pump station, ensuring reliable wastewater services for Traralgon
  Gippsland Water is investing $550,000 to upgrade Traralgon largest sewer pump station, replacing ageing pipes to ensure reliable wastewater services for 5,200 households. Works are underway and due for completion in September.
• Gippsland Water reaches 100 percent renewable electricity target, cutting emissions by 20,000 tonnes toward 2030 net zero
  Gippsland Water has achieved 100% renewable electricity by 2025, cutting 20,000 tonnes of emissions annually and advancing its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2030, 20 years ahead of schedule.
• Southern Rural Water upgrades over meters across Gippsland to improve accuracy and fair water management
  Southern Rural Water is replacing 1,000+ outdated meters across southern Victoria by 2026, boosting accuracy, compliance, and fair water management under national standards - with no cost to customers.
• Gippsland Water reappoints Sarah Cumming as Managing Director, extending leadership and community commitment until 2030
  Gippsland Water has reappointed Sarah Cumming as managing director until 2030, recognising her transformative leadership, strong community focus, and proven results, as the organisation enters a pivotal period of growth and change.
• Southern Rural Water declares spill entitlement in MID, boosting farmers' allocations as Lake Glenmaggie nears capacity
  Southern Rural Water has declared a spill for Macalister Irrigation District customers until 16 September, providing water above 100% allocation as Lake Glenmaggie nears capacity at 98% following strong winter inflows.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
  Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs.
• East Gippsland Water launches new Voice of Customer program to enhance service through feedback
  East Gippsland Water has launched a new Voice of Customer program, inviting feedback via SMS surveys to guide service improvements, with participants eligible for monthly $50 water bill credits.
• Southern Rural Water urges water users to monitor, manage, and comply as Spring forecast warns above-average rainfall
  The Bureau predicts above-average spring rainfall and warmer temperatures across eastern Australia. Southern Rural Water urges monitoring usage, maintaining bores, and following regulations to ensure fair, efficient water management.
• Danny O'Brien praises Gippsland community's generosity supporting Foster Kids after ram raid destroyed Christmas gifts
  Danny O'Brien praised Gippsland's generosity after a ram raid devastated A Better Life For Foster Kids, urging continued support through toy donations, PJ Day participation, and community involvement to brighten children's lives.
• Baw Baw Shire Council returns 37 cultural artefacts to Lardil people in historic Mornington Island repatriation
  Baw Baw Shire Mayor Danny Goss led a historic journey to Mornington Island, repatriating 37 cultural artefacts to the Lardil People, marking a significant step toward reconciliation and cultural heritage restoration.
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.
• Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025
  Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Baw Baw Shire Council secures funding for four key road safety projects through TAC and federal Blackspot Programs
  Baw Baw Shire Council secured TAC and Federal Blackspot funding for four key road safety projects in Warragul and Drouin, targeting high-risk areas with upgrades to improve safety for all road users.
• Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
  Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
• Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
  The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally.