MOST DROWNINGS IN RIVERS AND CREEKS

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 11

MOST DROWNINGS IN RIVERS AND CREEKS

Rivers, streams and creeks proved the worst spots for drownings again this year, accounting for 34 lives, compared with 43 in 1962-63, says a statement by the National Water Safety Committee. The total figure for drownings this year was 113. After rivers, streams and creeks, the worst spots were open seas and beaches with 33 deaths, five fewer than in 1962-63. This was more or less equivalent to the drownings for rivers, creeks and streams, although more people swim at beaches. Only minor differences were shown between summer and winter drownings this year, compared with last year. Fifty-one persons drowned during winter, an increase of four over the previous year, but a reduction of 10 per cent was shown in summer drownings, which fell from 70 to 62. December Rise The usual seasonal trends persisted throughout most of the year. October and December showed the most noteworthy changes. In October, only five drownings were reported, compared with 16 in the same month the previous year. However this was offset by a sharp increase, from seven last year to 17 in the 1963-64 year, during December. The under-five age group, with 21 drownings, again headed the list. This was followed by 18 drowning in the 21-30 age group. The survey’s figures show that 38 per cent of the under-five drownings (eight out of 21) resulted from children falling into rivers and creeks. Most drownings of older children were caused by accidents while swimming, boating, or playing near water. Although boating accidents again accounted for more drownings than any other cause, there was a reduction of three during the 1963-4 year from 39 to 36. Twenty-one children under five were reported “found drowned,” and half the drownings of children between five and 10 resulted from playing near rivers and creeks. These figures showed that rivers and creeks were more dangerous because they were likely to contain hidden hazards such as snags, submerged logs, boulders and holes. Beaches were safer

for swimmers because their hazards were easier to see and better known, and because most popular bathing places were patrolled by lifesavers, said the staement. In recent years there had been few. if any, drownings off patrolled beaches. Three people drowned during the 1963-64 year as a result of fishing from rocks. While this was a comparatively small proportion of the total drownings, the spokesman warned it was a potential hazard and extreme care should be exercised. “Although the total of 113 drownings is appreciably less than the 390 deaths resulting from road accidents during the same period,” said the statement, “when the 200 persons rescued by trained lifesavers, and an estimated 100 by others, are added to this total, it shows the possible consequences, should surf lifesavers and others be unable to help people in difficulties and should parents, bathers and botaing enthusiasts neglect to practise water safety.”