A massive tragedy struck a Melbourne family on Christmas Eve as a father and a son drowned at a beach on Phillip Island and a hapless mother watched on from shore.
Emergency services were called following reports of a 45-year-old man and his two sons, aged 20 and 11, in distress while swimming at the Colonnade beach around 5:30 pm on Christmas eve.
While the 11-year-old boy was able to swim to the shore, the 45-year-old man was pulled from the water and the paramedics performed CPR on him. However, he could not be saved.
His 20-year-old son was also pulled from the water but he also died at the scene.
The reported that a nearby resident, Gabby witnessed locals rushing to help the Cranbourne East family of Indian descent.
“When I got there, one had already been rescued, but the other was still missing,” she said.
“There were some people trying to calm the mum down. She was on the beach and her sons were in the water.”
Victoria Police Senior Seargent Sandy O’Brien told the beach was closed at the time of the incident which he described as an “absolute tragedy”. He said the conditions were too dangerous for swimming.
“Every Christmas this family will be reminded of what happened. It’s happened far too often out on this coast over the last few summers,” he said.
“We’re really imploring people to be safe around the water and make good decisions, know what their capabilities are.”
The Colonnade beach is the extension of Woolomai surf beach where Hemant Govekar - a 28-year-old Indian national – drowned on the Christmas day last year.
According to Beach Safe, the Colonnades is a “high energy” beach where waves average 1.5 meter and strong rips dominate the wide surf zone and permanent rips against the reefs. It advises “extreme care” while swimming there and advises staying close inshore and clear of the rips, rocks and reefs.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Migrants face a higher risk of drowning
Last week, three Indian nationals drowned at an unpatrolled beach near Coffs Harbour in NSW.
The National Drownings Report shows one in four people drowning in Australian waters over the past decade were born outside of Australia.
International students were the fourth largest category when it came to drownings, with recent arrivals- people in Australia for five years or less and tourists other leading categories.
In NSW, in order to raise awareness and to equip migrants with the swimming skills, the state Government is providing a special swimming program.
Royal Life Saving has been funded to deliver adult 'learn to swim' programs for refugees and migrants across a number of communities mostly in Western Sydney.
10 important tips to stay safe in the water
Here’s how you can keep yourself safe in water at beaches:
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags
- Look and take notice of the signs at the beach
- Ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for safety advice
- Learn how to identify a
- Swim with a friend - never swim or surf alone and children should always be supervised by adults.
- If you need help, stay calm and attract attention by raising your arm above your head
- Never enter the water if you have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs
- Wear sunscreen, seek shade and stay hydrated
- Boat skippers and rock fishers should check the local forecast and always wear a lifejacket
If witnessing an in-water emergency dial Triple Zero (000) – Police
For information on Beach conditions or to find a patrolled beach near you, check out the or download the .
