A Devastating Loss
In January this year, four members of an extended Indian-Australian family tragically lost their lives in a drowning incident at Phillip Island’s Forrest Caves Beach.
The victims, Reema Sondhi, Jagjeet Singh Anand, Kirti Bedi, and Suhani Anand, were caught in a rip current, highlighting the hidden dangers that lurk beneath Australia’s picturesque beaches.
The Investigation Unfolds
Coroner Sarah Gebert’s report revealed that all four victims had limited or no swimming ability and weren’t familiar with Australian beaches or rip currents. Detective Senior Constable Kane Treloar’s review of air-wing footage showed a single primary rip current was in effect at the time of the incident. The report noted that only an experienced swimmer with knowledge of rips would have been able to escape the deadly current.
Lack of Warning Signs: A Contributing Factor?
The family members told police they didn’t notice any warning signs about the beach or the lack of Life Saving Victoria patrols on their journey from the car park to the beach. However, the coroner’s investigator, Sergeant Leigh Cole, found that signage with general beach warnings was prominently displayed at the entry site to the beach. This has sparked a debate about whether clearer signage could have made a difference in preventing this tragedy.
A Bigger Picture: Drowning Deaths in Victoria
Judge Gebert’s report highlighted a concerning trend – 75 unintentional coastline drowning deaths of swimmers in Victoria over the past decade, with 36 of those victims born overseas. A staggering 28 of these deaths occurred during December or January. The coroner noted that people born overseas are often unfamiliar with the risks posed by Australian beaches and how to respond to them.
Education is Key
Coroner Gebert emphasized that education about water awareness and safety is crucial. She acknowledged that clear signage warning of risks alone is inadequate and expressed support for ongoing work to address drowning risks for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. As we head into the summer season, it’s essential for Victorians and visitors to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions.
The Community’s Response
Federation of Indian Associations Victoria president Vasan Srinivasan said the tragedy has had a profound impact on the local Indian-Australian community. Educating the community about water safety has been a long-time priority, but it’s a challenging task, especially when engaging tourists who may not be in contact with local organizations.
A Memorial and a Warning
A memorial stands at Forrest Caves Beach as a poignant reminder of the tragedy. Ankur Chhabra, who lost four family members that day, hopes that clearer signage can prevent similar incidents in the future. “Things can change in seconds,” he said. “Maybe we made a mistake. Please don’t make a mistake.”
This tragic incident serves as a wake-up call for all of us to take Aussie beach safety seriously. As we head into the summer months, let’s make sure to educate ourselves and others about the hidden dangers of our beautiful beaches.