News by Jack Paynter 20th Jan 2021 11:44 AM Victoria has already experienced its worst summer of drowning deaths after a horror week in the state s waterways. Forty people have drowned in Victorian waters since July 1, the state s worst year on record and already more than the 34 fatal drownings last financial year. Five people have drowned in Victoria in the past seven days, which has prompted authorities to issue an urgent water safety message ahead of warmer temperatures across the Australia Day long weekend. Life Saving Victoria has also extended its service provisions in response to the spate of recent tragedies, with lifesaving capabilities at 18 sites to be extended for an extra four weeks following Australia Day and an expansion of watercraft rescue services.
Drowning forces backflip on beach advice
Pictures: Keith Platt
WARNINGS about the pressing need to understand and appreciate the dangers of ocean beaches is the message emerging from a day of disaster at Mornington Peninsula beaches last week.
A 45-year-old woman drowned at Bushrangers Bay, near Cape Schanck and a man, 80, died while swimming in Port Phillip at Tootgarook.
The woman and five others were pulled from the water after being swept off rocks by waves at Bushrangers Bay about 3.30pm, Wednesday 13 January.
The drowned woman, Aida Hamed, was described as a “true angel” and much-loved staff member of the Lalor post office, by Australia Post.
âLuckâ on lifeguardâs side during heroic rescue Chris Perrott, 24, jumped into the treacherous water at Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck when three women and a 13-year-old girl were swept off rocks. Picture: Alex Coppel
News by Wes Hosking
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Subscriber only A brave lifeguard used his lucky surfboard to prevent a tragic drowning becoming a mass tragedy at a remote stretch of surf on the Mornington Peninsula. Chris Perrott, 24, jumped into the treacherous water at Bushrangers Bay near Cape Schanck clad only in his boardies when three women and a 13-year-old girl were swept off rocks. The medical student, who works as a beach lifeguard over summer, had been driving from Gunnamatta to Point Leo when he received an alert and raced to help.