Search

Placeholder Content Image

Swimmer drowns unnoticed during event

<p>An athlete has drowned in the middle of a livestreamed sporting competition in the US, with spectators and competitors alike not realising until it was too late.</p> <p>Lazar Đukić, an athlete from Belgrade, Serbia, was one of many competing at the CrossFit competition in Texas, when he reportedly vanished near the end of a live-streamed 800-metre swim in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake, near Dallas, on Thursday. </p> <p>Spectators, staff and swimmers initially didn't notice the man had drowned, as the Fort Worth Fire Department told AP it was called to assist police because there “was a participant in the water that was down and hadn’t been seen in some point in time”.</p> <p>Two hours after he was last seen, a body was pulled from the lake. </p> <p>One distressed spectator said “people were still swimming over him where he went down”.</p> <p>The organisers of the CrossFit Games issued a statement on Thursday, saying they are "deeply saddened" by the turn of events. </p> <p>“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games,” the statement read.</p> <p>“We are fully co-operating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time.”</p> <p>Mr Đukić, 28, has been remembered as a “beloved friend and elite athlete”.</p> <p>A <a title="www.gofundme.com" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lazar-dukic-support-fund">GoFundMe fundraising page</a> has been set up by one of Mr Đukić sponsors drinks brand Fitaid, to “support his loved ones during this time”, and has already raised $215,000 of $228,000 goal. </p> <p>“Known for his kindness, humour, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went,” state the page.</p> <p>“Beyond his athletic achievements, Lazar was caring, humorous and relentlessly supported those around him. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"I felt like I was drowning": Ed Sheeran breaks down

<p>Ed Sheeran has spared no emotion in a new docuseries covering a very turbulent time in his life.</p> <p>In the first trailer for Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All, the singer can be heard laughing about how when he was first approached about the documentary, he assumed it would cover his time in the studio working on his new album.</p> <p>To Sheeran’s surprise, the four-part Disney+ series is set to capture the hardships in the British star’s life as his wife, Cherry Seaborn, battled with a tumour while pregnant with the pair’s second child and just as he lost one of his closest friends, Jamal Edwards.</p> <p>The clip includes a montage of moments featuring an emotional Sheeran, 32, breaking down on stage and in private as he deals with the turmoiltuous time he’s been faced with.</p> <p>"I've never seen him cry on stage," his wife admitted in a clip.</p> <p>"He hasn't had time to process and be at peace with his thoughts."</p> <p>Sheeran, who is the father to daughters, Lyra, 2, and Jupiter, 10 months, is also heard saying how his wife changed his life.</p> <p>"Everything in my life sort of got so much better when Cherry came into it," he says.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/writing-songs-is-my-therapy-ed-sheeran-reveals-further-heartbreak" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sheeran first opened up about these two private, painful events in a social media post</a>, revealing how they influenced his upcoming album, Subtract.</p> <p>"At the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art," Sheeran wrote.</p> <p>"Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me make sense of my feelings. I wrote without thought of what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever tumbled out.</p> <p>"And in just over a week, I replaced a decade's worth of work with my deepest darkest thoughts.</p> <p>"Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumour, with no route to treatment until after the birth.</p> <p>"My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety.</p> <p>"I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air.”</p> <p>Sheeran also <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/tragedy-strikes-ed-sheeran-tour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suffered the loss of his close friend and co-worker's 16-year-old son in early 2023.</a></p> <p><em>Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All </em>will be released on Disney+ on May 3 2023.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Disney+</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

Law & Order actress drowns

<p dir="ltr"><em>Law &amp; Order</em> actress Mary Mara has died aged 61 after reportedly drowning.</p> <p dir="ltr">The US actress had gone for a swim at the St. Lawrence River in the town of Cape Vincent in New York on Sunday morning when she drowned. </p> <p dir="ltr">State police received a call about 8.10am following reports of a drowning and found the body. </p> <p dir="ltr">Initial investigations suggest there was no foul play with Mara’s death with the body being taken for an autopsy. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mara’s manager Craig Dorfman confirmed the tragic death in a statement. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Mary was one of the finest actresses I ever met,” he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I still remember seeing her onstage in 1992 in ‘Mad Forest’ off Broadway. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She was electric, funny and a true individual. Everyone loved her. She will be missed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mara had many popular roles in shows such as <em>ER, NYPD Blue, Law &amp; Order, Shameless</em> and <em>Break Even</em> and much more. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to IMDb, Mara appeared in a whopping 20 movies and 40 television shows.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mara leaves behind her stepdaughter Katie Mersola, sisters Martha Mara and Susan Dailey, brother-in-law Scott Dailey and nephew Christopher Dailey.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Reporter stops live broadcast to save drowning child

<p dir="ltr">A Channel 7 reporter has been hailed a hero after rescuing a child during his live broadcast.</p> <p dir="ltr">Paul Burt was in Surfers Paradise in Queensland when a 10-year-old boy behind him got caught in a rip.</p> <p dir="ltr">Burt immediately stopped his reporting and jumped into the water to help the child who was with his family of inexperienced swimmers from Pakistan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There was a 10-year-old boy ... that got dragged out into this fierce gutter, and of course into this rip,” Burt told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-reporter-stops-live-cross-to-save-drowning-boy-in-rough-surf-c-6693814" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> after rescuing the boy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Being of a light weight he managed to stay afloat and come in adjacent to the southern side of the gutter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“About four or five of us jumped in and basically pulled him back to the beach.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that the boy had taken in a “fair bit of water in” and was treated by paramedics on scene.</p> <p dir="ltr">Burt took the opportunity to warn swimmers not to risk their lives because they may not get that lucky.</p> <p dir="ltr">Watch the incredible footage <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/gold-coast/gold-coast-reporter-stops-live-cross-to-save-drowning-boy-in-rough-surf-c-6693814" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Man drowns trying to save his daughter

<p dir="ltr">A family trip to the beach has come to a tragic end after an Adelaide father died trying to save his young daughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 49-year-old took to the water at Adelaide’s Grange Beach after the tide began taking his daughter - who was on an inflatable tube - further out to sea.</p> <p dir="ltr">Onlooker Michael Napper saw the situation unfold before racing out to help.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The little daughter jumped off the tube into his arms in deep water and he was trying to save her,” Mr Napper<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/tragedy-as-dad-dies-trying-to-save-daughter-at-adelaide-beach-c-5384036" target="_blank">told<span> </span><em>7News</em></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846961/drowning1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/769934c9d4ca4d8ba98eaba28675948c" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Michael Napper (left) took action after seeing the younger man struggle to rescue his daughter. Image: 7News</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“It was too deep. He was holding her out of the water and the water was above his head and when I looked around he was floating.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 70-year-old went out on the water with his boogie board to rescue the pair.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had to. She was crying and she was very upset,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I got her on the board and she was holding the board. She was alright.</p> <p dir="ltr">“By the time I got to (her dad) he was under water and the next thing he was floating.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So I grabbed him by the trousers and turned him over and got him above the water and then I swam in.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Two onlookers began performing CPR on the unconscious man until paramedics arrived.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was treated for over an hour but paramedics were unable to revive him.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 500px; height: 296.1538461538462px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846962/drowning2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/96af257f314e4b9093b9bd273ac19671" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Though other onlookers and paramedics worked to save the man, he could not be revived. Image: 7News</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The man’s passing comes as the second death by drowning this week, after a 71-year-old man died over the weekend after diving into treacherous waters to save two relatives near Victor Harbor, 80km south of Adelaide.</p> <p dir="ltr">Surf Lifesavers are urging people to take extra care around the water.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So far in six weeks we have seen four coastal drownings in South Australia,” Surf Life Saving SA spokesperson Daniel Willetts said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We urge people to please assist yourselves and help yourself before you go to the aid of others, otherwise you may find that you indeed yourself become the fatality.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Tragedy as rugby star's young son drowns

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>The 10-month-old son of World Cup-winning rugby star Jannie du Plessis has drowned in their family swimming pool in South Africa.</p> <p>Tragedy struck as du Plessis, winner of 70 caps for the Springboks during a decorated career, celebrated his 39th birthday.</p> <p>Ex-South Africa international Rudolf Straeuli – who now serves as chief executive of du Plesiss’ current club, the Lions – confirmed the sad news. He told Sports24: “We, as Lions family, aren’t doing well.</p> <p>“I can confirm that this tragedy took place. We [are] all devastated.”</p> <p>He later added: “As I’m sure everyone can understand, Jannie and his family now need to be left alone to process this tragedy. We offer our full support to him and kindly request everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.”</p> <p>Former rugby star Toks van der Linde paid tribute by posting a photo on social media of du Plessis holding his late son, alongside wife Ronel.</p> <p>It was captioned: “Please pray for Jannie du Plessis and his family.</p> <p>“His son of one year drowned last night, my heart is broken broken broken. So So sad.”</p> <p>Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s Test match against England, South African forward Duane Vermeulen said the players were all thinking of their former teammate and his family.</p> <p>“They will be on our minds and all our condolences to Jannie and his family back home,” Vermeulen said. “It is a difficult time for them, but we will stand behind them and support them.”</p> <p>Another of du Plessis’ former clubs, the Sharks, also publicly mourned the family’s loss.</p> <p>A spokesperson said: “The Sharks extend our deepest condolences to Jannie, Ronel and the entire du Plessis family on the tragic loss of his young son.</p> <p>“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”</p> <p>In a statement, local police captain Raymond Sebonyane said “police were called to a scene of drowning whereby a 10-month-old baby boy fell in the swimming pool”.</p> <p>Du Plessis and wife Ronel have two other children, daughters Rosalie and Hele.</p> <p>He was part of South Africa’s 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad alongside younger brother Bismarck.</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Lottery winner drowns with winning ticket still in his wallet

<p>A 57-year-old man has drowned in a lake with a winning lottery ticket in his wallet. </p> <p>Michigan-local Gregory Jarvis was found washed up on a beach in the state's east, almost 10 days after scooping the impressive jackpot. </p> <p>Gregory had been at a local inn on September 13 when he won $45,000 in a Club Keno game. </p> <p>He was unable to cash out his winnings straight away, as he didn't have his social security card with him at the time. </p> <p>According to the state of Michigan and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc12.com/2021/09/28/caseville-drowning-victim-had-winning-lottery-ticket-his-wallet/" target="_blank">ABC12 news</a>, social security cards must be presented in order to cash lottery jackpot winnings over $600.</p> <p>Gregory had applied for a new card and was planning to visit his family with the winnings once he could cash them in, according to the Blue Water Inn owner Dawn Talaski. </p> <p>Gregory returned to the inn's bar on September 19 to celebrate his win as he bought a round of drinks.</p> <p>However, when he didn't show up as usual the following day, inn owner Dawn became concerned. </p> <p><span>"He wasn’t here all week and we thought, something is wrong," she said.</span></p> <p><span>Gregory's boss even went to the bar on September 22 to search for him when he hadn't shown up for work. </span></p> <p><span>Two days later, a local resident called the police when they witnesses a body had washed ashore on their private beach in Huron County. </span></p> <p><span>The body was found near a boat, and police confirmed the boat belonged to Gregory Jarvis.</span></p> <p><span>An autopsy revealed that Gregory had hit his head before he drowned.</span></p> <p><span>Local police found the winning lottery ticket in Gregory's wallet, which prompted an investigation to rule out foul play. </span><span></span></p> <p><span>Their investigation showed no such motives or evidence, as Caseville Police Chief Kyle Romzek said, "We are thinking that he was tying up his boat, slipped and fell, hit his head and that’s where he ended up in the water."</span></p> <p><span>The winning lottery ticket has now been handed over to Gregory's relatives. </span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

10-year-old boy dies a hero after rescuing little sister

<p>A 10-year-old boy has died a hero after he tragically jumped into a river to save his little sister after she fell in.</p> <p>Little Ricky Lee Sneve was with his father and siblings at Big Sioux River in Hudson, South Dakota on Saturday when his little sister Chevelle fell into the water.</p> <p>Nicole Eufers, Ricky’s mother, explained that a number of siblings had fallen in and while his father jumped in to get two of them while Ricky went for his sister.</p> <p>Ricky was able to push Chevelle back to the shore, but when his father Chad Sneve turned around, he was missing.</p> <p>"He saved his sister's life and took his own," Ms Eufers told the Argus Leader.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841808/ricky-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0e6d3b6df73842e7a0d43da4d2748f33" /></p> <p>Ricky's disappearance led to a large-scale rescue operation.</p> <p>However, only a few hours later, the sheriff's office confirmed they had found the body of the 10-year-old.</p> <p>"We unfortunately have a tragic update to the situation in Hudson," the release said.</p> <p>"The dive team recovered the body of the 10-year-old boy. We ask that you please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.</p> <p>"Our sympathies are with the family and the first responders who assisted in the recovery."</p> <p>A GoFundMe has been set up by Ms Eufers' brother after Ricky's death.</p> <p>"Ricky Lee was a very intelligent and smart young boy who loved his family and was an adventurous little guy," Ricky's uncle Ricky Eufers wrote.</p> <p>"He’d do anything to help his mom or anyone at that, without ever being asked. Ricky gave his life trying to do what he knew was best.</p> <p>"Please help my sister Nicole have some relief in these absolutely difficult times. All donations will be sent to her relief."</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Toddler drowns while feeding ducks with his family

<p>A young boy in the UK has drowned after falling into a canal as he fed ducks alongside his family.</p> <p>An inquest heard three-year-old Dylan Milsom fell in the canal at Victoria Park in Newbury on March 13.</p> <p>Milsom's mother Shelley Nardini made a desperate attempt to try and find her young son, even jumping into the water to try and save him.</p> <p>The assistant coroner ruled the death as accidental, with Ian Wade QC calling it "extraordinarily tragic".</p> <p>The little boy was visiting the park with his mum, grandmother and little brother.</p> <p>The group reportedly moved closer to the cancel so the three-year-old's bread could reach the animals they were feeding.</p> <p>The BBC reported the child moved to the other side of the gate as his mum warned him to hold on so he did not fall into the water.</p> <p>But after she turned around to get a bag of bread from the pushchair, she saw the child being swept away.</p> <p>Dylan's grandmother, Jackie Arrowsmith said in a court statement that the child had tripped, which caused him to fall into the water.</p> <p>She said she tried to grab him but only caught the top of his hair.</p> <p>The publication said Dylan’s mother then jumped in and saw her son get sucked underneath a weir.</p> <p>This soon happened to her before she was able to grab onto a branch and was eventually pulled out.</p> <p>Dylan’s body was discovered by local authorities, the assistant coroner said, while adding the tragic incident had been “nobody’s fault”.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

How coronavirus self-isolation fatigue may lead to more beach drownings this summer

<p>The easing of physical distancing restrictions can’t come soon enough for those tired of self-isolation, and for many the beach represents a welcome therapy after an extended time indoors and alone.</p> <p>In Australia, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-26/coronavirus-crowds-sydney-beaches-again-despite-covid-19-risks/12185926">popular beaches in Sydney</a>, including the iconic Bondi Beach, were completely closed to public access during the government-imposed lockdown period. When they reopened under restricted conditions in late April (fall in the southern hemisphere), the unexpectedly large crowds led authorities to close them again.</p> <p>More recently, crowded beaches in the <a href="https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-premier-shocked-by-packed-toronto-beaches-warns-covid-19-fight-is-not-over-1.4995033">Great Lakes</a>, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/coronavirus-comes-spring-break-locals-close-florida-beaches-after-governor-n1163741">Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/galveston-beaches-see-uptick-in-crowds-as-city-takes-additional-measures-to-protect-visitors-from-covid-19/285-6bc76e6b-a076-40ac-8a22-a714e8ba0dfc">Texas</a>, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-26/crowds-masks-venice-beach-memorial-day-weekend">California</a> and the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/brits-flock-to-the-beach-amid-medics-warning-of-second-wave-20200625-p555y7.html">United Kingdom</a> show that people are eager to find their spot on the sand.</p> <p>While going to the beach to bathe or swim is seen as an enjoyable recreational experience, aside from social distancing concerns, beaches can be dangerous environments and it is <a href="http://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-19-389-2019">not uncommon for drownings</a> to occur. Unfortunately, there are several COVID-19-related factors that have the potential to significantly increase the number of beach drownings and rescues.</p> <p><strong>Beach hazards in a time of COVID-19</strong></p> <p>First, many of those people seeking out beaches may be infrequent beachgoers, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.10.011">unfamiliar with beach hazards, such as rip currents, and safety practices</a>, including strategies on how to react when caught in a rip current as recommended by the <a href="http://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-17-1003-2017">Break the Grip of the Rip campaign</a> in the United States.</p> <p>Second, summer travel plans have been altered for many, meaning local and non-holiday beaches — many of which are not patrolled by lifeguards — may see larger crowds and could put <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212349">bystanders who attempt rescues</a> at greater risk.</p> <p>Third, and most important, in normal years, lifeguard services would intervene to ensure that people don’t put themselves into dangerous situations. This year is different.</p> <p>Several jurisdictions from the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-52038489">U.K.</a> and the <a href="https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20200608/covid-furloughs-meant-no-warning-flags-on-holland-beach-as-two-boys-drowned">Great Lakes</a> have cancelled their lifesaving programs due to COVID-19-related budget and health concern restraints.</p> <p>Coronavirus-related staff cuts and furloughs prevented Holland State Park in Michigan from setting up the flags to warn swimmers of the daily hazard along that section of Lake Michigan. The <a href="https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2020/06/double-drowning-tragedy-underscores-danger-of-great-lakes.html">lack of warning flags and lifeguards has already been blamed for the drownings</a> of a six-year-old and a 17-year-old on June 6. This is just but one example of how cutting funding to beach safety programs could cost lives.</p> <p><strong>Masking the truth about the surf hazard</strong></p> <p>There are interesting parallels between drowning prevention and efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve.</p> <p>Many people do not wear a mask in public despite evidence that masks reduce the <a href="https://today.tamu.edu/2020/06/12/texas-am-study-face-masks-critical-in-preventing-spread-of-covid-19/">potential for COVID-19 transmission</a>. For example, if you have gone grocery shopping and avoided infection, you may become complacent and feel that masks and hand-washing are unnecessary. Or you may bend to peer pressure if you meet up with friends who are not wearing masks or social distancing.</p> <p>These same behaviours come into play with drownings. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-018-3424-7">Evidence suggests</a> that if you didn’t drown on your last visit to the beach, you’ll be confident that you won’t drown on your next visit — despite changing waves, tides and other conditions.</p> <p>Or if you are with a group of friends who are better swimmers, there is a greater chance that you will venture into deeper water to avoid the social cost of staying close to shore. You may also mirror the risky behaviours of other beachgoers.</p> <p><strong>Ignoring the warning signs</strong></p> <p>The time and financial investment made in travelling to the beach after being limited by stay-at-home orders for weeks and months means that more people may enter the water, even if the conditions aren’t ideal.</p> <p>Beach users escaping self-isolation at home may be tired of warnings and further restrictions on the beach and may ignore them, particularly if they believe that lifeguards are being <a href="https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-19-2541-2019">overly cautious</a>. This was the greatest concern expressed at a recent (virtual) conference to celebrate the creation of a legislated lifesaving program in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1626-9">Costa Rica</a>.</p> <p>In the Great Lakes, the problem is made worse by the high-water levels that have <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-lake-michigan-record-water-levels-20200619-ntztvazvynf7bgbro3cgkp2diy-story.html">limited the amount of beach available</a>. Even where lifeguard services are still provided, the limited beach width means that people will either crowd together on the beach or move away from others, increasing the lifeguard’s patrol area — and the risk that someone will need rescue or will drown.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/famous-sydney-beaches-closed-after-crowds-flout-coronavirus-restrictions">Restricting access to beaches</a> to limit crowds and the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/us/covid-19-second-shutdown/index.html">potential for a second wave of COVID-19 cases</a>, will in turn limit the number of drownings as long as people <a href="https://abc7chicago.com/lake-michigan-chicago-beach-beaches-open/6265505">heed those closures</a>.</p> <p>COVID-19 has created a perfect storm that could make beaches more popular than ever before and raise the risk of drowning. So far, most of the concern has focused on the lack of social distancing and the looming threat of a second COVID-19 wave, but that focus may soon shift to drowning. Are we going to love our beaches to death?<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/141491/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-houser-688101">Chris Houser</a>, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, and Dean of Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-windsor-3044">University of Windsor</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-brander-111027">Rob Brander</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-coronavirus-self-isolation-fatigue-may-lead-to-more-beach-drownings-this-summer-141491">original article</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Family's cruise hell: "They laughed while he drowned"

<p>A 19-year-old Canadian woman has broken her silence after a horror cruise, during which she says passengers laughed and staff did nothing while her father was drowning at sea.</p> <p>Venezia Hebecker was holidaying with her parents in the Bahamas onboard a Norwegian Escape cruise ship when the heart-stopping moment took place.</p> <p>Talking to <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/travellers-stories/cruise-hell-they-laughed-while-he-drowned/news-story/a21b905912092f27ebb98dd2b317154b" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>News Corp</strong></span></a>, Venezia recalls sunbaking on the last day of the trip when she overheard a group of passengers joking about a man drowning during a snorkelling excursion.</p> <p>She decided to check on her 52-year-old dad, Marino, only to find a woman running in the other direction holding his snorkel.</p> <p>“I started bawling my eyes out because I totally thought he was gone,” she said. “She had reassured me that he was okay but I needed to go to medical as soon as possible because my dad ... was not breathing.”</p> <p>Despite being considered a strong swimmer, Marino had been caught in a strong current 60 metres out to sea, where his desperate cries for help were ignored.</p> <p>“He remembers waving at the lifeguard, who ignored him, then screaming for the lifeguard, who ignored him again. He was screaming for his life and everyone thought it was a joke.”</p> <p>It was only thanks to the efforts of two children who alerted a man who then dragged him out of the water.</p> <p>“Through it all, no crew member had come to the stateroom or even called to see how he was doing,” Venezia wrote on the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/marinos-medical-fund" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GoFundMe page</span></strong></a> set up to pay for her dad’s medical expenses. “Absolutely nothing was done for him through it all even considering this all happened on their island under their ‘lifeguards’ supervision.”</p> <p>Rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, Marino now faces a difficult path towards recovery. Shockingly, his daughter says no one from the cruise line offered any help or sympathy during or after the ordeal.</p> <p><img width="499" height="505" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7267087/26730646_1787084714649237_5563186668925509128_n_499x505.jpg" alt="26730646_1787084714649237_5563186668925509128_n" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“I definitely think that they should be ashamed of themselves. I could have lost my father if it weren’t for the help of those kids as well as the man, not the lifeguard.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Venezia Hebecker/Facebook.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Therapy dog saves 8-year-old boy from drowning

<p><span>Nobody noticed eight-year-old Ross Parry was in danger of drowning at Wellington's Thorndon Pool in New Zealand – except for Paddy the black labrador.</span></p> <p><span>Liz Gasson's assistance dog, who helps her cope with multiple sclerosis, knew something was wrong, and became agitated as she sat beside the pool reading a book on Monday.</span></p> <p><span>"All of a sudden, he pulled forward, and then he sort of started nudging me towards the direction of where the little boy was," Gasson said on Tuesday.</span></p> <p><span>Gasson said Ross had tried to use his leg as a lever to get out of the pool, but instead his foot became lodged in a handrail.</span></p> <p><span>"It was an immediate response. [Paddy] just immediately got up and realised something wasn't right ... it was amazing. I'm so proud of him," Gasson said.</span></p> <p><span>Ross was lying backwards in the water, struggling to keep his head above the surface.</span></p> <p><span>His sister Rhianna was calling out for help, trying to alert the pool's lifeguards, who had been dealing with a group of rowdy children.</span></p> <p><span>Thanks to Paddy's attentiveness, Gasson and her husband, alongside Ross's mum Anita, freed the boy's leg and lifted Ross safely out of the water.</span></p> <p><span>But Paddy's work wasn't over yet.</span></p> <p><span>After the successful rescue, he consoled and calmed Ross the only way he knows – by licking his face.</span></p> <p><span>Ross had swallowed a lot of water, and admitted "it was really scary".</span></p> <p><span>But he insists the incident wasn't all bad, as he had found himself a new best friend.</span></p> <p><span>"He's a superhero," Ross said.</span></p> <p><span>Paddy, who turns three in March, was born on St Patrick's Day, with Gasson referring to him as her "little lucky charm".</span></p> <p><span>"He's just an amazing dog. He knew something was going on far before anyone started shouting or anything like that.</span></p> <p><span>"If it wasn't for Paddy alerting me, the kid would've been underwater longer.</span></p> <p><span>"It was quite extraordinary. He was the first to recognise that something wasn't right.</span></p> <p><span>"It could have been potentially very dangerous."</span></p> <p><span>Paddy's extensive training as an assistance dog ensures Gasson has the freedom to live as normal a life as possible.</span></p> <p><span>Assistance Dogs New Zealand was founded in 2008 to provide support for people with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and diabetes.</span></p> <p><span>Paddy's training cost about $48,000.</span></p> <p><em><span>Written by Katarina Williams and James Paul. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a> </span></em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Elephant saves her baby from drowning

<p>A visitor at Grand Park Zoo in Seoul, Korea, has captured the incredible moment an adult elephant rushes into the water to save her baby’s life. The unbelievable footage was uploaded to YouTube last week by user Chorong Park and has already been viewed more than 825,000 times.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KozEQl3OBpA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>After her calf unexpectedly fell into the water, the gentle grey giant frantically runs towards the commotion, then enlists the help of another elephant to enter the water and herd the bub back to safety.</p> <p>It just goes to show that even in the animal world, there’s nothing that can stop a mother from protecting her baby at all costs.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Polar bear saves her cub from drowning

<p>It seems like swimming doesn’t come as naturally for polar bears as one might think, and this little cub has had quite the scare.</p> <p>This footage shows an excitable young resident – of what appears to be a zoo – rolling around playfully, before accidently slipping into the water. Mama bear charges out of nowhere in the blink of an eye to help the frightened frolicker climb back to safety. Such a compelling reminder of how powerful the maternal instinct really is. Share it with your mothers or your children, and don't forget to remind them of just how much they mean to you!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/interspecies-animal-friendships/">15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/funny-dog-snapchats/">11 funny snapchat pictures that only dog lovers appreciate</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/10/why-dogs-so-happy-to-see-you/">The science behind dogs being so happy to see you</a></em></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

5-year-old daughter rescues drowning mother

<p>The heart-stopping footage of a five-year-old girl rescuing her drowning mother after she suffered a seizure in their pool has gone viral.</p> <p>Young Allison Anderwald has been hailed a “tiny hero” after her quick-thinking saved her mother, 34-year-old Tracy Anderwald. The pair were playing Marco Polo in their backyard pool in Oregon when Tracy blacked out. As can be seen in the video above, captured by the family’s security camera, Allison doesn’t panic; she dives into the pool, pulls her mother to the shallow end and lifts her head above water. She then runs to get help.</p> <p>"It's amazing she even knew what to do," Tracy told local media.</p> <p>Allison has been swimming since she was two and feels very comfortable in the water. The video serves as a reminder of the importance in teaching children to be water-wise and how to react in an emergency situation. </p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/how-to-bring-up-a-happy-child/">22 tips for bringing up a happy child</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/grandparents-make-grandchildren-happy-study/">Why the grandparent grandchild relationship is important for happiness</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/texts-from-grandparents/">15 hilarious texts from grandparents</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.