Australia has experienced a spike in drowning deaths in the summer of 2020/2021 after fitness levels plunged during Covid lockdowns, a top lifesaver has warned.
At least 55 people have died as a result of drowning this summer alone, compared to just 43 at this time last year.
According to Liam Krige, the general manager at Life Saving Victoria, the staggering amount of drowning deaths this season is done to dwindling fitness and a blase attitude to the dangers. The sad reality is that people think it s not going to happen to them, or that they don t need to worry about it, Mr Krige told The Age.
Hero police officer Kelly Foster farewelled after Blue Mountains whirlpool death
ThuThursday 14
updated
ThuThursday 14
JanJanuary 2021 at 1:41pm
Police and community members have lined the streets of Lithgow to farewell Senior Constable Kelly Foster.
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Mourners have lined the streets of Lithgow, New South Wales, to bid farewell to highly regarded and dedicated police officer Kelly Foster.
Key points:
Senior Constable Kelly Foster died after she was sucked into a whirlpool while canyoning in the NSW Blue Mountains
It is believed she was attempting to save a 24-year-old international student, who also drowned
Mourners have lined the streets of Lithgow, where she was stationed, to pay their respects at her funeral today