Booze, drugs contribute to horror new surge in female drownings in Victoria

Victorian females are drowning at an alarming rate and drug and alcohol consumption has blamed for contributing to the shocking 50 per cent spike in deaths.

Victorian females are drowning at an alarming rate, with shock new figures revealing a 50 per cent spike in deaths.

The grim statistics captured in Life Saving Victoria’s annual drowning report – obtained by the Herald Sun – show 17 women drowned in 2022-2023, compared to the 10-year average of 11.

The rising number of female drownings comes amid a worrying increase in water-related deaths within home environments rather than open water where most drownings occur.

Life Saving Victoria chief executive Catherine Greaves said while men continued to be over-represented in the statistics – accounting for two- thirds of drownings over that period – it was “concerning” to see an upswing in the number of women losing their lives.

“The fatal drowning rate for women now stands 50 per cent higher than the decade’s average,” she said.

Life Saving Victoria’s annual drowning report has revealed some grim statistics. Picture: Jason Edwards

Contributing factors for home drownings among women include drug and alcohol consumption. In older women, it is trips and falls around water.

The alarming shift comes after 59 lives were lost to drownings between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 – a 33 per cent increase on the decade average.

The tragic deaths included five-year-old Alison Johns, who drowned at Lake Nagambie two days after Christmas; Shepparton teenager Jack Bird, who drowned when his boat capsized at Lake Mulwala; and Joe and Roslyn Devlin, aged 60 and 55, who were found dead in the water at a Mallacoota Beach last summer.

Rebecca Johns with her five-year-old daughter, Alison, who drowned at Lake Nagambie last year.

Roslyn and Joe Devlin were found dead in the water in Mallacoota last year. Picture: Supplied

As revealed by the Herald Sun earlier this month, Life Saving Victoria has joined Alison’s heartbroken mother, Rebecca Johns, in calling for greater funding to expand patrols into inland waterways.

However, the Allan government has refused to do so.

This is despite an equal number of deaths at inland and coastal waterways.

Sadly, drownings in bathtubs, pools, dams and ponds have doubled over the past decade.

This includes nine bathtub deaths in 2022-2023 – almost three times the decade average.

There has been an ‘alarming increase’ in drownings among those aged 65 and older. Picture: Jason Edwards

Over the horror year, water-related deaths increased in every age group compared to the 10-year average, with the exception of children under 14.

Ms Greaves said that “among the most profound revelations … was the alarming increase” in drownings involving those 65 and older.

Life Saving Victoria’s manager of research and evaluation, Dr Hannah Calverley, urged all Victorians to be alert around waterways this summer as El Nino weather conditions drove people to the water.

“With more expected (hot weather) events ahead of us, we’re urging Victorians to be vigilant when seeking a waterway to cool off,” she said.