Findings

Fatalities

Drowning fatalities of the 5 – 14 age group show an increase on 5 year average (2) in 2019 (4) and 2020 (6). In 2020, this was the highest total for this age group since 2013. 

In 2020, the 25 – 34 drowning fatalities (6) were around half that of 2019 (13) and the five year average (12). It is the lowest total in this age group since 2010. 

Hospitalisations

Drowning hospitalisations for the 5 – 14 year age group (29) in 2020 was the highest toll on record. 

The Over 65’s drowning hospitalisation rate (21) in 2020 was down 44% on 2019 (39) but still above the five year average (18).