Victoria records deadliest year for drownings in decades

Fifteen children lost their lives in Victoria’s deadliest year of drownings in two decades.

Victoria has recorded its highest drowning toll in more than 20 years. Picture: Supplied

Victoria has recorded its highest drowning toll in more than 20 years with 61 lives lost including 15 children across state waterways this past financial year.

On Wednesday, Life Saving Victoria released its latest drowning report finding fatalities had alarmingly increased 40 per cent compared to the 10-year-average.

In 2020-21 there were 165 total drowning incidents, including 61 deaths and 104 non-fatal incidents where paramedics attended – up from 34 deaths the previous year.

Seven children died in or around the home while eight deaths occurred in open waterways or public pools.

There was a 90 per cent increase in drowning deaths in home swimming pools and a 61 per cent increase in bathtubs compared to the decade average.

Men aged 25-44 continue to be over-represented accounting for 20 per cent of all fatalities while 22 women drowned — an increase of 13 from the average.

Two-year-old Hunter Boyle who lost his life to drowning in 2020. Picture: Supplied

Life Saving Victoria flagged the Covid-19 pandemic was partly to blame for the drowning increase as closures of public pools saw swimming lessons cancelled.

Social distancing restrictions meant Victorians were visiting remote waterways while a shortfall of 1800 swim teachers were also factors.

The report said “pandemic fatigue” could lead to increased risk taking and complacency around the water as we head in to summer.

Ash Napolitano tragically lost her two-year-old son Hunter last year after he drowned in his grandfather’s dam near Shepparton leaving behind “a hole that will never be filled”.

“I can’t describe the pain that comes with losing our boy, even after a year, it never gets easier,” Ms Napolitano said.

“I can’t tell other parents or carers strongly enough, sometimes you can do everything to teach about being safe and it just takes that split second.”

Ms Napolitano established the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Foundation to allow regional children the opportunity to access swimming lessons.

61 memorial rescue tubes were placed on Sandridge beach to mark the occasion. Picture: Supplied

Piloted in her hometown of Shepparton, the aim is to fund 12 months’ worth of swimming lessons and water safety education to vulnerable children

“Every child no matter their background deserves the opportunity to learn swimming,” she said.

Life Saving Victoria marked the drowning fatalities by placing 61 memorial rescue tubes at Sandridge Beach on Wednesday.

LSV health promotion and communications general manager Dr Bernadette Matthews said it was vital Victorians remember the numbers represent real people.

“While anyone can drown, no one should. Life Saving Victoria is urging the community not to become complacent, and to remember that these are more than just numbers, they are people,” Dr Matthews said.

Life Saving Victoria’s message to all Victorians ahead of summer is to remember the reason “you want to get back out of the water safely” and “to keep kids away from danger”.

“Do not become a memory, please remember that a moment of distraction can lead to a lifetime of heartbreak,” Dr Matthews said.