Multiple fatality events are defined as drowning events where two or more people died in the same incident. When multiple people lose their lives at one time, this has long-lasting impacts on families, communities, and rescue personnel.
Circumstances where multiple fatality drowning events most commonly occur include:
Boating and watercraft activity
- Poor weather and water conditions; hazardous water conditions, large waves, strong winds
- Not wearing a lifejacket
- Capsize of vessel due to speeding, striking a submerged object, poor weather conditions
Non-Aquatic transport accidents
- Vehicles crashing into the water
- Aircraft crashing into water
Flood-related
- Driving through or being swept aways by flood waters
Alcohol-related drowning deaths
41% of MFE occur during boating & watercraft activity
44% occur in outer regional, remote & very remote locations
37% drowned more that 100km or 2 hours away from home
17% were flood-related
How to stay safe
- Check weather and water conditions before and during your trip e.g., Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) app or website
- Always wear a lifejacket when boating and fishing
- Avoid driving through floodwaters
- Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back, especially if going to regional and remote locations
- Actively supervise children around water
