Six Drownings In October

5 November 2010
For Immediate Release

Six Drownings In October

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) today announced that six people lost their lives in drowning incidents in the month of October. All the victims were males with four being aged over 70 years and two incidents having alcohol as a contributing factor.

The drowning toll to date for 2010 now stands at 65.

Matt Claridge, General Manager, WSNZ remarks on the incidents, “Despite this year’s toll being down on the 5 year average (2005-2009) of 86 it is disappointing to see inappropriate behaviour being the cause of the majority of these deaths.

“Any water based activity carries risk and people, especially those of advanced years, need to understand this and act accordingly. It is simply too dangerous to undertake recreational activity in the water alone when there is no one to hear a cry for help or assist in a emergency”.

Alcohol use in and around water is also a major issue and the organisation warns against mixing the two.

“Alcohol and water are a deadly combination. Any use of alcohol when planning on enjoying water based activity is a form of alcohol abuse. Simply put, it is stupid and dangerous!”

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