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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/02/lifesavers-fear-flag-warnings-ignored-after-second-death-at-same-beach-in-a-week
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Lifesavers fear flag warnings ignored after second death at same beach in a week | Lifesavers fear flag warnings ignored after second death at same beach in a week |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Lifesavers fear people are ignoring signs to swim between the flags after a man drowned at the same Victorian beach where a swimmer disappeared on Christmas Day. | Lifesavers fear people are ignoring signs to swim between the flags after a man drowned at the same Victorian beach where a swimmer disappeared on Christmas Day. |
| The man drowned at Woolamai beach on Phillip Island on Monday afternoon. | The man drowned at Woolamai beach on Phillip Island on Monday afternoon. |
| “It seems as though the victim was caught in a rip,” Life Saving Victoria general manager Paul Shannon said. | “It seems as though the victim was caught in a rip,” Life Saving Victoria general manager Paul Shannon said. |
| The man was swimming outside the flags and attempts were made to rescue him after he was spotted in trouble, but he could not be reached. | The man was swimming outside the flags and attempts were made to rescue him after he was spotted in trouble, but he could not be reached. |
| His death has been referred to the coroner. | His death has been referred to the coroner. |
| A week earlier 28-year-old Hemant Govekar disappeared in the water off Cape Woolamai after he was spotted in trouble by surfers. | A week earlier 28-year-old Hemant Govekar disappeared in the water off Cape Woolamai after he was spotted in trouble by surfers. |
| Govekar was at the beach with his family and had recently graduated from the University of Queensland. | Govekar was at the beach with his family and had recently graduated from the University of Queensland. |
| “There are signs down to the beach, which is universal signage,” Shannon told 3AW radio. “They’re trying to combat the language barrier there.” | “There are signs down to the beach, which is universal signage,” Shannon told 3AW radio. “They’re trying to combat the language barrier there.” |
| Surfers and other experienced beachgoers have also been advising visitors and novice swimmers not to go out in rough swells. | Surfers and other experienced beachgoers have also been advising visitors and novice swimmers not to go out in rough swells. |
| “We’re clearly not getting through to everybody,” Shannon said. | “We’re clearly not getting through to everybody,” Shannon said. |
| There have been almost 30 drowning deaths this summer in Australia, with the majority occurring on beaches. Royal Life Saving’s research showed 28 drownings in December, with close to 70% happening in coastal locations. | There have been almost 30 drowning deaths this summer in Australia, with the majority occurring on beaches. Royal Life Saving’s research showed 28 drownings in December, with close to 70% happening in coastal locations. |
| Surf Life Saving coastal safety and risk manager Shane Daw said 18 people had died on Australian beaches this summer, one more than this time last year.“More people are putting themselves in a position of risk,” he said. | Surf Life Saving coastal safety and risk manager Shane Daw said 18 people had died on Australian beaches this summer, one more than this time last year.“More people are putting themselves in a position of risk,” he said. |
| Daw said the deaths of five youths under the age of 15 before Christmas was particularly alarming. | Daw said the deaths of five youths under the age of 15 before Christmas was particularly alarming. |
| He suggested life jackets should be worn by vulnerable swimmers. | He suggested life jackets should be worn by vulnerable swimmers. |
| The average of drowning deaths for summer is 101 according to the Royal Life Saving national fatal drowning database. | The average of drowning deaths for summer is 101 according to the Royal Life Saving national fatal drowning database. |
| “We are hopeful things will start to slow now Christmas is over,” its national research manager, Amy Peden, said. | “We are hopeful things will start to slow now Christmas is over,” its national research manager, Amy Peden, said. |
| The society’s national drowning report shows 291 people died as a result of drowning in Australia from July 2016 to the end of June 2017. | The society’s national drowning report shows 291 people died as a result of drowning in Australia from July 2016 to the end of June 2017. |
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