According to Royal Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report, 281 people drowned in Australian waterways in 2023.
This showed an increase from the 10-year average number of drowning deaths at 279.
Out of the drownings, 77 per cent of the deaths were men, 57 per cent were adults aged 45 years or older, and 44 per cent occurred in major cities.
Drowning deaths often occurred in rivers, creeks and beaches, with 33 per cent of the drowning victims found to have been swimming or engaging in recreational activities in the water.
(SKY NEWS)
