Cape Otway drowning sparks safety reminders as the weather heats up

Fresh warners from life savers with Victorian swimmers twice as likely to drown on a public holiday than any other day of the year.

A man has died after being pulled from the water at Aire Beach on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Life savers have issued fresh warnings to swimmers to take care by the water this unofficial long weekend after a man drowned at a Cape Otway beach.

A 39-year-old was pulled from the water at Aire River near Glenaire on Tuesday about 10:30am.

Police said the Truganina man was in shallow waters with children near a boat ramp when he got into difficulty and disappeared under the water.

Paramedics performed CPR on the man but he died at the scene.

Life Saving Victoria (LSV) issued an urgent reminder on Wednesday for locals to cool off at patrolled beaches and stay between the yellow and red flags.

The region is expected to heat up this weekend with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting the mercury to reach 26C on Friday and 37C on Saturday.

LSV general manager lifesaving services Liam Krige urged beachgoers to remain vigilant when heading down to the coast.

“Victorians are more than twice as likely to drown on a public holiday than any other day of the year,” Mr Krige said.

“With many people intending to take advantage of the January 26 public holiday by turning it into an unofficial long weekend, it is vital they prioritise their safety if planning to spend the holiday around water.”

It has been a devastating summer so far with 14 fatal drownings reported since December 1 last year.

Mr Krige reminded swimmers to remain cautious at inland waterways with LSV sending surf life savers to patrol Lake Eildon, Lake Nagambie, Lake Waranga and Lysterfield Lake.

“Just because there is a lifesaving presence at an inland waterway, does not mean the risk is gone,” he said.

Mr Krige also encouraged punters to not mix alcohol and water related activities.

“Nearly a third of drownings in the past decade have been known to involve alcohol or other drugs – the risk is simply not worth it.”

Originally published as Cape Otway drowning sparks safety reminders as the weather heats up