AusLeisure

Extending the hours when surf lifesaving patrols are active on Adelaide's Glenelg beach and adding new warning signs are among key recommendations from a Coronial inquest looking into the drowning deaths of three children.

Following the deaths of three children at the Glenelg beach breakwater in two separate incidents in 2016 and 2017, South Australia's Deputy Coroner delivered his findings yesterday.

In his findings, Deputy Coroner Anthony Schapel said it had been lucky surf lifesavers were still at the beach at the time of the Frank Ndikuriyo and Thiery Niyomungere drownings on New Year's Day in 2016 as they had been due to finish their shift at 6pm.

He advised "if the incidents had unfolded perhaps as little as 30 minutes later than they did, there may not have been the same level of surf lifesaving expertise present at the beach, rescue efforts may not have been as effective and more children may have died.

"The observation that lifesaving services are only provided on a formal basis to 6pm on busy and/or hot days at the beach is not meant to be any form of criticism.

"However, the observation is naturally irresistible that given that there is a significant period of daylight after 6pm, incidents such as those that led to the deaths of the three children could conceivably occur after that time, especially if the day is hot."

Deputy Coroner Schapel said there was no signage at the breakwater at the time of the boys' drownings, but since then there was now "a virtual forest of signage, both permanent and moveable".

He recommended the signage be updated to warn beachgoers that there had been fatalities at the breakwater.

He also recommended that structures, such as an inflatable water slide, which could hinder or obstruct lifesavers should not be erected in the vicinity of the club.

Lifesaver Jared Schenscher told the inquest that the slide, known as the ‘Big Wedgie’ had got in the way of rescuers on the day the two boys died.

Deputy Coroner Schapel also recommended a public awareness campaign conducted through print and broadcast media outlets, warning of the dangers associated with the breakwater at Glenelg beach.

Advising that people needed to be better educated about water safety, Surf Life Saving SA Chief Executive Damien Marangon told the ABC “we're always really big on making sure that people stop, look and make a plan.

"Although Glenelg beach looks like this beautiful environment, we've seen again through the coroner's findings that tragedies can happen even here at this location."

South Australian Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said he would consider the findings.

The inquest had also considered the drowning of Indian student Nitisha Negi, aged 15, a participant in the Pacific School Games, who died when she was swept into the sea while playing on the rocks with four other children in December 2017.

Image: A floral tribute to Frank Ndikuriyo and Thiery Niyomungere at Glenelg Beach folowing their drowning.

Related Articles

24th September 2019 - Glenelg drowning inquest hears giant inflatable waterslide blocked lifesavers’ view of swimmers

16th September 2019 - Rising drowning deaths coincide with record summer temperatures

2nd January 2019 - Airlie Beach lagoon drowning prompts WorkSafe Queensland advice

7th December 2018 - Australian Water Safety council addresses drowning among multicultural communities

20th September 2018 - One in four Australian drowning deaths involves people born overseas

12th September 2018 - Drowning Deaths decrease but Life Saving bodies urge against water safety complacency

2nd January 2018 - Prime Minister Turnbull pledges further $3 million to surf lifesavers to curb drowning deaths

17th December 2017 - Complacency surrounding Asian drowning epidemic also impacts Australia

14th December 2017 - Surf Life Saving Australia reveals 116 coastal drowning deaths in 2016/17

15th September 2017 - Australian Leisure Facilities Association echoes concerns raised in 2017 National Drowning Report

12th September 2017 - Small increase in Australia’s annual drowning numbers

20th September 2016 - Drowning figures demonstrate importance of learn-to-swim programs

9th January 2016 - Drownings lead to Surf Life Saving SA call for surf education in schools

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.