Beach tragedy
SURF life savers claim pipi harvesting is hindering rescues at Venus Bay, in the wake of a drowning on Sunday.
A man died at Number Four Beach, after emergency services were called around 2.45pm following reports of people in trouble in the water.
However surf life savers said they were unable to drive to the scene of the drowning promptly, due to the distance from their base at Number One beach to Number Four beach, as well as crowds of people harvesting pipis leaving holes across the beach.
“Normally you can drive at a decent speed between the beaches,” Venus Surf Life Saving Club senior vice president Simonetta Seri said.
“Pipi collecting makes access very difficult.”
By the time emergency services reached Number Four beach, two men had reached shore.
One was suffering from water inhalation and shock, and was treated by Ambulance Victoria paramedics.
The third man – a 20 year old from Melbourne – was missing and later found dead 30m out in shallow water by senior surf life saving club members.
Ambulance Victoria paramedics and Surf Life Saving Club members conducted CPR on the man but were unable to revive him.
Ms Seri said the same issue with pipi harvesters caused the club drama last year, when a child went missing on the beach on Christmas Day.
Due to crowds of people, mostly pipi collectors, she was unable to get the four wheel drive out of second gear.
Number One beach is the only patrolled beach in Venus Bay.
The club has considered placing patrol facilities at Number Five beach to improve response times. However this plan is hindered by lack of funding and manpower.
“It’s not as simple as it may appear. It costs us in excess of $100,000 just to patrol at Number One beach,” Ms Seri said.
Ms Seri said Number One beach is the safest designated spot for swimming at Venus Bay if everyone swims between the flags. There has never been a drowning between the flags.
Surf Life Saving Victoria operations manager Greg Scott said the Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club did a remarkable job on Sunday under the circumstances. “With the onset of the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public about the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches, or in dangerous conditions,” Wonthaggi Police’s Senior Sergeant Steve Gibson said.
“Inexperienced swimmers should avoid swimming at unpatrolled beaches and should seek advice from Surf Life Saving Victoria personnel before entering the water at all.”
Senior Sergeant Gibson said many local beaches are subject to rips and undertows, and emergency services are committed to making sure the holiday period was not marred by more tragedies.
“Members of the public can provide the greatest assistance by recognising their own ability in the water and acting responsibly in selecting swimming spots,” he said.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
The deceased man’s relatives in China have been notified by the Chinese Consulate and are flying to Australia.
The inflatable rescue boat (IRB) was immediately redirected to another rescue at Beach Three after the incident on Beach Four.
The members were able to get to the third beach on time and saved another person’s life.
Venus Bay’s beaches have a reputation for adverse conditions for swimmers, such as rips and unexpected tides.
Be careful: a man drowned on Venus Bay’s Number Four Beach on Sunday (file photo).
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Posted by Sarah Vella on Dec 23 2014. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
