More older people drown
Overall, the toll is down, record low in eight years
New Zealand’s drowning toll took a significant dive in 2018, but Water Safety NZ says there are still too many people dying in preventable circumstances.
Sixty-eight people drowned last year, down from 92 in 2017 and the second-lowest total on record after 64 in 2010.
Water Safety NZ chief executive Jonty Mills said there had been a flip in age groups of those overrepresented in water deaths with more older people dying than those aged 15-24.
The number of fatalities in the 65+ group was 18, five more than the fiveyear average.
“Eleven of these were immersion incidents, where someone has ended up in the water when they had no intention of doing so. Six were swimming incidents so make sure you have support with you or swim in patrolled areas,” Mills said.
The 15-24 age-group toll in 2018 was the lowest since records began. It was half of the 2017 total and almost half the five-year average.
Immersion incidents were the deadliest non-recreational activity with 28 deaths, followed by swimming the deadliest recreational activity with 22 deaths.
“Ten of the immersion incidents occurred at home either in home pools, baths or ponds which is a reminder to be vigilant about water safety in the home.”
Mills said while the overall drop in drownings was encouraging it had been a busy summer of rescues and lucky escapes with frontline emergency services reporting record numbers.
“One preventable drowning is one too many. We need to see a continual downward trend in the toll over a number of years.
“The water-safety sector is doing a fantastic job keeping people safe in, on and around the water. Frontline services, the likes of Surf Life Saving and Coastguard, are largely dependent on volunteers and donations to continue the important work they do.”
Beaches had the most preventable fatalities with 18, followed by rivers with 13.
Eight fatalities at beaches involved swimming, while six were land-based fishing.
The Waikato region had its lowest toll since records began, down 55 per cent on the five-year average.
Auckland and Bay of Plenty had the most fatalities with 13 each followed by Northland with eight.