Life Saving Victoria’s warning after Luka Huddle dam tragedy
Life Saving Victoria says inland waterways are proving just as dangerous as beaches, after a toddler drowned in a Lara dam.
Geelong
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Life Saving Victoria is warning people to be vigilant around inland waterways, after a toddler tragically drowned in a Lara damn.
The organisation’s manager of research and evaluation Dr Hannah Calverley said inland waterways were proving just as dangerous as beaches.
“About one third of fatal drownings in Victoria occur in inland waterways, which include dams, and about a third occur in coastal waterways, so they are very similar in overall numbers,” Dr Calverley said.
In the past five years, 63 per cent of all drownings for kids aged 14 and under were the result of a child falling into the water by mistake.
Dr Calverley said the frequency of fatal drownings for children aged under four had decreased in recent years but they were still “over-represented” in non-fatal incidents.
“A young child can drown in just 20 seconds, so it’s really important that children are kept under really close watch when their out and about on these properties and inland waterways,” she said.
The Geelong community is still reeling from the tragic death of Luka Huddle, 2, who was found unconscious in a dam at a Lara property on Tuesday.
Luka had been helping ‘rug up’ horses with his grandmother, Sharon Huddle, when he wandered off out of sight with his dog Poppy.
Victoria Police is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It is understood it may take some time before a report will be presented to the coroner.
A state government spokeswoman told the Geelong Advertiser it would not comment on if there would be any further investigation into the incident, but did offer a message to his bereaved family.
“This is a horrific tragedy and our thoughts and sympathies are with Luka’s loved ones during this time,” she said.
Luka’s mother, Karin Huddle, has been outspoken following the incident in her anger over what she described as “inadequate fencing” around the dam on a neighbouring property that her son was found in.
LSV encourages private property owners with dams, ponds and water tanks on private properties to fence off areas between houses and bodies of water.
Sadly, the region has seen a number of tragic drownings involving children in recent years.
In September 2020, the parents of 2-year-old Anna Greaney were left wishing they could “turn back time” when their daughter drowned off Portarlington pier.
Anna was with her father, Patrick, and two of her siblings when she fell into the sea on an especially choppy and windy day.
Despite a desperate search and rescue, emergency services were unable to revive Anna.
Her death rocked the wider Geelong community and prompted a sad reminder from Life Saving Victoria to always keep children within arm’s reach when around water.
Last year 12-year-old Cienna Jervies drowned off the coast of Collendina beach in treacherous swells.
Cienna’s death rocked the “heartbroken” Jerries family and wider Bellarine Peninsula community.
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Originally published as Life Saving Victoria’s warning after Luka Huddle dam tragedy
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