A tragic series of drownings over the Easter weekend has left Australia in mourning, with a nine-year-old boy becoming the latest victim. He was trapped between rocks at a beach in New South Wales on Sunday, marking the seventh drowning incident during this holiday period.
The boy was retrieved by emergency teams at South West Rocks, located about 400 kilometers north of Sydney, but sadly, he died at the scene. This weekend has been particularly deadly, with strong ocean swells sweeping several people off rocky areas into the water. Two individuals are still missing.
Steven Pearce, the CEO of Surf Life Saving in New South Wales, described this as the worst Easter weekend for drownings on record. He expressed his sorrow, emphasizing that this holiday, usually filled with joy and celebration, has turned into a time of grief for many families.
Earlier on the same day, a helicopter rescue team found a father and son struggling in the water near Wattamolla Beach, south of Sydney. The 14-year-old boy was resuscitated, but his father was later pronounced dead.
The situation is dire, with police in Victoria still searching for a 41-year-old man who disappeared near San Remo on Friday. Since Good Friday, Surf Life Saving New South Wales has conducted over 150 rescues, highlighting the dangers posed by the recent weather conditions.
Pearce noted that a mix of high temperatures, the holiday weekend, and dangerous ocean conditions contributed to the spike in drownings. While forecasts suggest that conditions may improve on Monday, authorities are urging beachgoers to remain cautious.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his condolences to the families affected by this tragedy, urging everyone to be vigilant, especially parents watching their children at the beach.
According to Royal Life Saving Australia, 323 people drowned across the country in the year leading up to June 2024, with nearly 40% of those incidents occurring in New South Wales. This alarming statistic underscores the importance of safety measures when enjoying Australia’s beautiful coastlines.