IT’S a No. 1 ranking the towns and cities of the Murray River would prefer not to have — the title of being the leader for drownings in inland Australia.
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A 10-year study released today has identified the Murray as the nation’s No. 1 drowning black spot with 43 deaths from 2002 to 2012.
While some may argue the nation’s longest river would provide the greatest danger to swimmers, the population centres along the length of the river are small compared with metropolitan centres on major waterways, yet there were 33 drownings on the Brisbane River and 29 on the Yarra River.
Sadly, the Murray is unlikely to lose the unenviable title as a drowning black spot any time soon.
Since July last year, there have been 10 drownings in the river, including that of a 41-year-old Afghani man swimming at Noreuil Park in January and a Warrnambool woman who lost her life west of Yarrawonga in March.
Albury and Border Rescue Squad captain Stuart Dye yesterday again pushed his message that those swimming in the Murray must respect it, be vigilant and ensure they have set aside both alcohol and bravado before entering the water.
And most importantly, never swim alone.