A devastating search operation in Western New South Wales has come to a heartbreaking end with the recovery of a 16-year-old boy’s body.
The teenager had been swimming with friends in the Macquarie River at Dubbo on Monday afternoon when he was swept away by strong currents.
The Incident Unfolds
The boy was swimming with two other boys when the accident occurred. Despite efforts to rescue him, one of the males failed to resurface, prompting a massive search operation.
Emergency services, including police divers from Sydney, were called to the scene near Sandy Beach Road just before 6 pm.
Search Efforts Intensify
The search, which involved officers and volunteers from Police Rescue, the State Emergency Service, and VRA Rescue NSW, was temporarily called off at midnight but resumed at 7 am the next day.
Police divers, VRA Rescue search dogs, and drones were all deployed to scour a two-kilometre stretch of the river.
Unfortunately, the teen’s body was discovered just after 12:30 pm on Tuesday.
A Community in Mourning
The deceased boy was a student at a local high school, and police have organized counseling services to support his family, friends, and community.
The local rugby club, where the boy was well known, is also receiving support.
Acting Inspector Scott Heckendorf renewed safety warnings for swimmers, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the river and its fast-changing currents.
Inland River Dangers: A Growing Concern
This incident is the latest in a series of tragic events at inland rivers in NSW.
There have been three deaths in the Murrumbidgee River in recent weeks, and Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) has expressed concerns about the increasing number of drowning deaths across the country.
In the first two months of summer, 77 people drowned, including 11 children under the age of 17.
A National Crisis: Swimming Rates at Historic Lows
RLSA chief executive Justin Scarr warns that Australia has lost its “herd immunity” to drowning, with over 50% of the population unable to swim.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue, with thousands of children missing swimming lessons.
Additionally, increased migration from countries where swimming is not widely taught has led to a significant number of teenagers and young adults being unable to swim or respond in emergency situations.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety and the need for increased awareness and education about the dangers of inland rivers.
Our thoughts are with the family and community affected by this devastating loss.