Another person has drowned in New South Wales, adding to the rising drowning death toll that has prompted a warning from lifesavers at what is considered the deadliest time of year.
Four people were pulled from the water at Port Stephens on Wednesday afternoon, including a 33-year-old man who could not be revived and died at the scene.
A woman and a man were treated by paramedics and taken to John Hunter hospital in a critical condition. A third man was treated at the scene and did not require further treatment.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The Port Stephens death brings the number of drownings in NSW since Christmas to at least four, while there are grave fears for a man swept out to sea while attempting to save his brother from waters on the south coast on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old entered the water to help his brother when he was caught in a rip off Congo beach near Moruya. A land, sea and air search has been launched to find him.
On the same day, the body of a 35-year-old paddle boarder was pulled from the newly opened Penrith beach.
Australians are more likely to drown between Christmas and New Year than any other period as people flock to beaches and waterways over the holiday season.
At least 22 people have drowned since the start of December across Australia this year, compared with 19 at the same date last year, while the five-year average for the period is 25.
Nine people have drowned in the three days from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day alone, all in NSW and Queensland.
Justin Scarr, the chief executive of the Royal Life Saving Society, said for many people the summer holidays is the only time they find themselves in the water.
“The underlying issue here is that perhaps Australians aren’t as strong swimmers as we believe we are,” he said.
“There are many people across the holiday period that will wade into the water, splash about, but they in fact won’t swim.
“When they find themselves in deep water that overestimation of their ability is what causes significant problems.”
Another risk factor is that many Australians head to unfamiliar waterways in regional holiday destinations over the period.
While the number of drownings among young children has reduced in the past decades, one demographic has seen an increase.
“Where we’re struggling to address drowning is in adults over the age of 45,” Scarr said.
“It’s a combination of older people swimming later in life and other medical conditions, combined with strenuous activity like swimming increasing drowning risk.”
Flood waters have also claimed several lives in Queensland and Victoria, including that of a nine-year-old girl whose body was recovered on Tuesday.
Scarr urged people to be aware of the risks inherent in any kind of water activity or natural disaster.
“In the last couple of days we’ve seen some absolutely tragic drowning events due to flooding and also on beaches and inland waterways,” Scarr said.
“With more forecast hot weather and the potential for more storms it really is a concerning period.”
