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Easter Weekend Drowning Tragedy in Australia
A tragic incident occurred on Sunday at a beach in New South Wales when a nine-year-old boy became trapped between rocks, marking him as the seventh individual to drown during the Easter weekend in Australia.
The series of drowning incidents, primarily attributed to powerful swells that swept individuals off rocky areas into the ocean, has left two others unaccounted for and in the ongoing search efforts.
Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, characterized this unfortunate series of events as the “worst” recorded for drownings during the Easter long weekend, as reported to ABC News.
“This has been a dreadful occurrence during a time that is meant to be filled with joy and reflection,” Pearce stated in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
Emergency responders were able to recover the boy from South West Rocks, located approximately 400 kilometers north of Sydney, but he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly thereafter.
Earlier on the same day, a father and son were spotted by helicopter in the waters near Wattamolla Beach, south of Sydney. While the 14-year-old son received successful resuscitation efforts, his father tragically did not survive.
In a separate ongoing case, authorities in Victoria continue their search for a 41-year-old man who has been missing since Friday near San Remo.
In the wake of this weekend’s tragedies, Surf Life Saving New South Wales has reported conducting over 150 rescues since Good Friday.
Pearce emphasized that a “perfect combination” of high temperatures, the holiday break, and hazardous ocean conditions in both New South Wales and Victoria contributed to the alarming increase in drowning incidents.
While weather conditions are expected to improve on Monday, officials have urged beachgoers to remain vigilant and cautious when visiting the coastline.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his condolences to the families affected by these incidents, urging everyone to prioritize safety: “Please, everyone, be careful. Families in particular, be cautious with your children,” he advised.
According to statistics from Royal Life Saving Australia, the country recorded 323 drownings between June 2023 and June 2024, including fatalities in rivers and creeks as well as at beaches. Notably, almost 40% of these drowning incidents happened in New South Wales alone.
Source
www.bbc.com