Vic: Warning issued after fifth-near drowning in Vic

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2009
Vic: Warning issued after fifth-near drowning in Vic

MELBOURNE, Dec 31 AAP - Victorians are being urged to take care in the water after
five near-drownings in the state within 24 hours.

Two people have died from drowning deaths in the past two days, and on Wednesday alone
there were four near-drownings.

In the latest incident on Thursday, a 65-year-old man was dragged to the shore on Victoria's
Mornington Peninsula and revived by paramedics.

The man was found floating face-down at Frankston beach by a female swimmer about 12.30pm (AEDT).

Bystanders dragged him from the water, blue and unconscious.

Paramedics gave him oxygen and he regained consciousness within minutes.

Treating paramedics praised the swimmers who helped rescue the man, who was taken to
the Frankston Hospital.

A 43-year-old Kew fisherman drowned after a wave swept him off rocks at San Remo near
Phillip Island at about 1.30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.

The man's body was found five hours later, after an extensive search involving a helicopter,
police and State Emergency Services.

Three men and a boy, aged two, were taken to hospital on Wednesday after they nearly
drowned in separate incidents at Geelong, Anglesea, Safety Beach and Templestowe.

In another incident, a man was rescued from Middle Brighton beach on Wednesday night
with suspected spinal injuries after diving from the pier.

A 15-year-old from Braybrook, in Melbourne's west, drowned at Albert Park beach on Tuesday.

Intensive-care paramedic George Dinas said the past two days showed how dangerous water
could be as people had flocked to beaches and pools for relief from the hot weather.

Mr Dinas urged people to ensure their friends watched out for their safety when swimming.

"If you are at the beach, make sure you swim between the flags, beware of rough and
changing conditions, and don't enter the water out of your depth or swimming competency
level," he said.

"Alcohol and water can also be a deadly mix, and it is vital that people keep a close
eye on children who are anywhere near water."

Water quality could also be a hazard if heavy rain falls on Friday and Saturday around
Port Phillip Bay and surrounding areas, as is predicted.

The Environment Protection Authority advises people to avoid swimming at bay beaches
forecast to have poor water quality this Saturday.

They include beaches at Rye, Dromana, Mt Martha, Mornington, Frankston, Carrum, Aspendale
North, Mordialloc, Mentone, Elwood, St Kilda, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, Altona, St
Helens, Eastern and Queenscliff.

AAP mi/jl/

KEYWORD: DROWN UPDATE

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