Drownings in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania have tragically marred the new year long weekend as thousands flock to beaches, lakes and rivers with temperatures rising.
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Royal Life Saving Australia says the key risk factor for drownings is drinking alcohol near the water, followed by swimming, boating and fishing.
The latest incidents follow a string of drownings at the end of 2022, including three deaths on Christmas Day.
- NSW
* A 27-year-old man died while another hospitalised after they were pulled from the surf at a beach on the state's far north coast near Byron Bay on Monday.
* Emergency services were called to New Brighton Beach, south of Byron Bay, following reports that a man collapsed after returning to shore and another man was pulled from the water unresponsive.
* On New Year's Day (Sunday), an off-duty police officer drowned in a rip after saving the life of a teenage boy at an unpatrolled beach on the NSW south coast.
* Emergency services were called after the 45-year-old became caught in a rip at Bogola Beach, south of Narooma, about 1.30pm on New Year's Day.
* When lifesavers arrived at the scene, onlookers told them the man went into the ocean to rescue a 14-year-old boy, but after saving the teen he disappeared under water.
- Tasmania
* A missing kayaker's body was found in the island's remote northwest after the man went missing two days earlier.
* Andrew Donohue, 49, was last seen when he left a campsite to go fishing at Perkins Island at 8.30pm on Friday.
* Police described the circumstances of Mr Donohue's death as a "freak accident" after his body was found in the water south of Robbins Island, northwest of his last known location, on Sunday morning.
- Victoria
* A 34-year-old man disappeared under water while swimming with friends at Lake Eildon, northeast of Melbourne, about 4.30pm on New Year's Day.
* Local police and other emergency services scoured the lake and foreshore into the evening before suspending their search overnight.
* A body was found in the lake on Monday morning.
ROYAL LIFESAVING AUSTRALIA NUMBERS:
* Since summer began, there have been 24 drownings, including eight children under the age of 18, according to Royal Lifesaving Australia.
* Half occurred in inland waterways while almost a third were in coastal waters including beaches and harbours.
* One death occurred in a backyard swimming pool and another in a public swimming pool in December.
* Last summer 145 people drowned, making it the worst summer in over 20 years.
Australian Associated Press
