UDATE: 11 NOV
Sadly, a young girl who was one of the near drownings mentioned below has died. The Samuel Morris Foundation extends our condolences to her family, friends and community.
10 Nov 2009
A spate of near drowning accidents has occurred this week in Queensland, with several near drownings occurring in public swimming pools.
The Samuel Morris Foundation issued a media release saying:
“The spate of near drownings in Queensland in the past week is a reminder that many children experience devastating outcomes from near drowning. We know only too well the difficulties faced by near drowning survivors and their families and the impact that these events also have on the child’s wider community.
Research has shown that for every Queensland child that dies as a result of drowning, there are four to five Queensland children presenting to hospital following near drowning events. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has revealed that almost one quarter (22.3%) of these children will experience a brain injury resulting in life long disabilities.
Whilst the Queensland Government has recently had a focus on water safety reform, incidents such as these near drownings continue to occur and it is a clear reminder that vigilance is AlWAYS required whenever children are in, on or around water.
We encourage anyone who has been touched by a childs near drowning experience to get in touch with the Samuel Morris Foundation to become part of a network of people with similar experiences.”
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