Drownings Continue to Outpace 2010

13 July, 2011

Drownings Continue to Outpace 2010

The month of June has mirrored May in that there were five fatal drowning incidents recorded in New Zealand, reports Water Safety New Zealand. The national drowning toll for 2011 now stands at 67, 23 percent higher than at the same point in 2010 when 52 deaths had occurred.

This month’s fatal incidents have been classified as: one recreational boating (Marlborough), one swimming (Auckland), two accidental immersions (Auckland and Gisborne) and a suicide (Otago).

Matt Claridge, General Manager, WSNZ, states: “Two of this month’s incidents stand out for comment. Alcohol consumption has been the primary factor in a recreational boating death, and a 4 year old has been tragically lost due to a disused water tank in a rural area not being adequately secured.”

Claridge continues, “Adults make their own decisions and if someone chooses to drink excessively and then undertake aquatic based activity they know the risks. However, small children have neither the ability nor the knowledge required to make a decision about their own safety. There should never be questions asked when it comes to child safety, least of all around water. The responsibility lies squarely with the parent or caregiver. Appropriate supervision is essential as is the identification of potential water hazards both within the home and in the neighbourhood. These hazards must not only be identified but they must be removed or nullified; failure to do so will see similar incidents repeated.”

ENDS

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