Heart-wrenching' holiday drowning deaths a warning to all: lifesavers

Migrants and tourists account for a third of drownings in Australia. Source: Results Marketing

Surf lifesaving authorities are warning that no-one is immune to danger and are urging people to heed water safety warnings. It comes after the deaths of at least five people during this Easter long weekend. A Victorian father and son are being hailed as heroes following their deaths on Easter Sunday ((April 21)) as they tried to rescue a tourist. The 30-year-old tourist had been wading in the Sherbrook River at Port Campbell, a small town south-west of Melbourne, when he got into difficulty. An inflatable rescue boat was deployed to help the man, but it flipped in the strong swell causing three rescuers to be thrown into the water. The Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club has confirmed the pair were dairy farmers, 71-year-old Ross Powell and his 32-year-old son, Andy Powell.