Water safety

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Justin Scarr and Adam Weir

The charts that show how we died in the worst year on record for drowning

The National Drowning report released on Tuesday finds 357 people fatally drowned in 2024-25, and one age group jumped more than others.

  • Julie Power

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Brad Ross poses for a social media photo with his shark-bitten board.

‘Insane!’ Surfer has miracle escape after shark takes bite out of board

Surfing legend Kelly Slater weighed in on the near miss at a popular northern NSW beach, which has recorded two shark incidents in as many months.

  • Josefine Ganko
Special Operations Paramedic Scott McNamara and Constable Jesse Hockey rescued the 14-year-old boy from the water.

‘Come with me’: Hero first responders recount dramatic rescue after fatal jet-ski crash

Police constable Jesse Hockey and paramedic Scott McNamara didn’t hesitate jumping into the cold, murky water when two boys hit an obstacle on the Georges River.

  • Josefine Ganko and Kayla Olaya
A a “once in a generation” under river infrastructure project is forcing officials to dump millions of litres of raw sewage and stormwater directly into the Brisbane River.

The big stink: This is how much raw sewage is being dumped into the Brisbane River

Complications with a “once in a generation” under-river infrastructure project are forcing officials to dump millions of litres of raw sewage and stormwater directly into the Brisbane River.

  • Josh Bavas
Darcy rescued index homepage. Missing surfer

The ‘very smart advice’ that helped save surfer found on remote NSW island

Darcy Deefholts, 19, went missing on Wednesday afternoon. He was found 18 hours later, 13 kilometres off the mainland after his small community rallied to rescue him.

  • Josefine Ganko, Kayla Olaya and Cindy Yin
Water woes for Greater Western Water’s 630,000 customers.

The serious risk you’re running having that glass of wine in the bath

Researchers investigating bathtub drownings have found almost 200 Australians have died in the past decade. One element is a major contributing factor.

  • Jack Gramenz
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Botany Aquatic Centre in 2008. The mid-century pool will close on April 27 for renovations, reopening in 2027.

With no pool, Sydney councils must ensure generation of swimmers do not miss out

The closures coming across Sydney over the next year will leave some parts of Sydney with no local pool.

  • The Herald's View
Nine-year-old Kaison Greaves died after becoming trapped between rocks in the water at South West Rocks.

Heartbroken parents grieve ‘larger than life’ son after NSW beach tragedy

Nine-year-old Kaison Greaves died after he became stuck between rocks off the shoreline on a horror weekend for drownings.

  • Josefine Ganko and Riley Walter
An ambulance helicopter near where the three people were washed into the water on Friday.

Woman drowns, man missing after three swept off rocks in Gippsland

The woman was found unresponsive in the water, but couldn’t be revived.

  • Alexander Darling
A search and rescue operation is underway at Tinaroo Dam in Yungaburra, Queensland.

Tourists drown, body of kayak rescuer found in separate tragedies

The discovery of the body of a man who died while trying to rescue children in a dam has added to a tragic day on Queensland waters.

  • Fraser Barton