Inland waterways account for more than a third of drowning deaths in Australia with more than 900 people having drowned in these areas in the ten years according to the Royal Life Saving Society.

The Murray River remains the leading river blackspot for drowning across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia with the Yarra River in Melbourne, Hawkesbury River in Sydney, the Murrumbidgee River in ACT and the Swan River in Perth accounting for the top five deadliest rivers in Australia.

Alarmingly, 40 per cent of those who drowned in inland waterways were within 20 kilometres from their home at the time.

Rivers, creeks, lakes and dams are popular places to cool off, but should not be underestimated.

Recent flooding has added to the danger. In September 2022 a five year old boy died after the car he was travelling in was swept away by floodwaters near Tullamore in the Central West.

Royal Life Saving’s National Manager – Research and Policy Stacey Pidgeon said the number of drowning deaths in inland waterways was very concerning.

“We know on average 92 people lose their lives to drowning in inland waterways every year,” Ms Pidgeon said.

“Every drowning death ripples through the community, affecting families, friends, and colleagues. More than a fifth of those who drowned were swimming and recreating at the time, which means they purposefully entered the water."

Males make up 80% of victims in inland waterways. Locally, in 2016 a 16 year old Dubbo boy drowned while swimming in the Macquarie River outside of the town.

“Almost a fifth of cases involved a fall into water. It’s an important reminder that whether you intend to go swimming or not, you have to be water safety conscious when you are in, on or around water," Ms Pidgeon said.

“Rivers as a single location are the leading contributor to Australia’s unintentional fatal drowning burden.

“We know summer and school holiday periods see a significant rise in drowning deaths.

“It is important to remember that these are the figures only for fatal drowning; many more families experience non-fatal drowning, which can have lifelong consequences.”