24/4/25 Summer of Danger: Drownings Rise Despite Hundreds of Heroic Rescues by Lifesavers

24/4/25

LSV implores the Victorian community to remain vigilant and keep themselves and loved ones safe around water, as the Volunteer Summer Patrol Season comes to an end. 

The warning comes after a tragic incident at Punchbowl near San Remo, where three people were swept off rocks on Friday. This was one of multiple drowning incidents to occur across the country over the long weekend. 

A woman in her late 30s was pulled unresponsive from the water and could not be revived, while a 41-year-old man has not been found despite days of searching by emergency services. A third woman made it safely back to shore. 

Incidents such as this are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of unintentional water entry when people are unexpectedly swept into the water by a large wave, or accidentally fall due to slips or trips. – These types of incidents account for over a third of all drowning fatalities in Victoria and are more likely to occur during the cooler months, increasing across Autumn, Winter and Spring when water safety risks are often underestimated. 

LSV CEO Catherine Greaves said it is vital for Victorians to take care in, on and around water all year round.  

“The long weekend just past has been a tragedy of unfathomable proportions, both here in Victoria and across Australia. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by these incidents,” Ms. Greaves said. 

“This is an extraordinarily sad reminder of the dangers of slips, trips and falls around water, particularly at areas like coastal rock platforms where conditions can be unpredictable. We encourage people to watch their footing on wet and unstable ground, stay well back from the edge, check conditions, read safety signs and wear a lifejacket if they’re boating or rock fishing.   

“With patrols now at an end, help is further away if you get into trouble, so it’s vital everyone takes personal responsibility and stays informed of the risks around water.” 

Victoria’s volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards were thanked for their efforts over the 2024/25 patrol period, which officially ended with the red and yellow flags coming down at St Kilda Beach today. 

Volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards performed 1,011 rescues over the 2024/25 summer patrol season from November to April – the highest number recorded in Victoria in over 20 years. 

They also performed 1,593 first-aid interventions and 355,994 preventative actions over the period, which saw more than 6,000 volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards log in excess of 250,000 patrol hours on Victorian beaches. 

While hundreds of lives have been saved, there were 22 fatal drowning incidents across Victorian coastal, inland and home environments over summer (December to February). 

This is an increase compared to the five and ten-year averages for the summer period (21 and 19 respectively), and along with record rescues, points to a concerning increase in people finding themselves in dangerous situations around water.  

For further information contact the LSV Media team: media@lsv.com.au / 03 9676 6970.