National Drowning Report 2011

The 'National drowning report 2011' has been released by the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia. 315 people drowned in Australian waterways between 1st July 2010 and 30th June 2011. Drowning deaths across Australia have increased for the third year in a row and have jumped 11% on the 5 year average.

Key facts: 315 people drowned in Australia between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011; 241 (77%) were male and 71 (23%) female. Sex was unknown in three cases; 107 (34%) drowning deaths occurred in NSW, 93 (30%) in Queensland; 38 (12%) people drowned in the Queensland floods throughout December and January; 114 (36%) drowning deaths occurred in River / Creek / Stream locations; 16% (50) of drowning deaths occurred while Swimming and Recreating in water; 15% (47) of drowning deaths occurred as a result of Falling or Wandering into water. Drowning deaths occurred all year round with 129 (41%) occurring in Summer. There were 2 cases where season of drowning death was unknown.