AWNW - 12th October 2016

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Issue #352 – Wednesday, 12 October, 2016

Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper

Kids are little bottlers LOCAL kids encourage the community to donate blood to the Australian Red Cross as part of Extend After School Care s annual initiative that teaches kids about giving back to a worthy cause.

SEE MORE, PAGE 5

Drowning capital By Monique Kuzeff UNDERCURRENTS, submerged objects and rapid temperature changes are some of the reasons leading to the Murray River being ranked the number one river drowning blackspot in Australia. Albury, Wodonga, Echuca, Mildura and Munnum are home to parts of the Murray River where the majority of drowning deaths were recorded between 2002 and 2012, and eight recorded in the last year. Figures from the The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2016 released last month show that 271 people drowned in rivers, creeks and streams across the country in the 2015-’16 financial year. The figures show a five per cent increase on the 267 drowning deaths recorded last year, with males contributing to 83 per cent of the deaths - the highest percentage of male drowning deaths in the past 10 years. Minister for Health Sussan Ley has urged people to take care around waterways, following the increase in the number of drowning deaths in the past year. “I know the devastation on communities these tragic deaths have with eight lives lost on the Murray River last year, which flows through the heart of my electorate,� Ms Ley said via a release. “To see an increase of 26 per cent in the number of middle-aged people, particularly men, who have died unnecessarily, is just not good enough. “These men need to be more careful and sensible around water.� The Murray River Drowning Report, which analyses the drowning cases known to have occurred between 2002 and 2015, reported the three most common activities being undertaken prior to drowning deaths in the Murray River. The top three are watercraft incidents, followed by swimming and

The Murray River is the number one river drowning blackspot in Australia - particularly in areas of Albury, Picture: LARISSA KUZEFF Wodonga, Echuca, Mildura and Mannum. 160450 recreating and non-aquatic transport incidents. Albury-Wodonga Rescue Squad (AWRS) Captain Stuart Dye told NewsWeekly that drowning deaths occurred from people not properly “respecting the water� and “understanding its dangers�. “People aren’t respecting the water and that’s what the Royal Life Saving is saying,� he said. “They need to listen to the warnings the authorities give out and if they don’t know what is in the water, they shouldn’t dive into it. “Underneath that water you’ve got undercurrent and you’ve got different

temperatures so in a matter of seconds your body temp could drop significantly and it just takes your breath away.� Mr Dye said that in his 40 years with the AWRS he had found that alcohol, a lack of awareness of river dangers, and peer pressure on those who were not strong swimmers had led to many squad rescues in the Murray River in the local area. “I know one chap we recovered who wasn’t a strong swimmer and was pressured to go into the water and then lost his life,� Mr Dye said. “Drinking is also a big factor and the carelessness that comes from that. “I’ve also noticed that many of the

drowning victims are outside the area code.� With the recent floods across the North East, Mr Dye advised communities affected by the flooding to educate themselves on river dangers and to not swim beyond their capabilities. “Treat the water with respect. It can be your slave or it can be your master,� he said. “Since the flooding has occurred I’ve seen huge logs floating down the river and I’ve noticed there’s lots of trees that have fallen in. “There’s also soft edges on the steeper banks, so people must be particularly careful in the river this summer.�

Minister for Health Sussan Ley launched the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2016 last month.

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