Authorities are pleading for Victorians to take extra care as temperatures continue to soar, following three water-related deaths in two days.
On Monday, 17-year-old boy died after being pulled from the water in Mordialloc in Melbourne’s south east, and a man in his 30s died in Ebden in north-east Victoria after following his dog into the water.
Police said the man in his 30s may have suffered a medical episode.
A 19-year-old man also died while bodysurfing with friends in Lorne along the Great Ocean Road on Christmas Day.
Director of lifesaving services at Life Saving Victoria Kane Treloar said losing a family member at this time of year was “absolutely heartbreaking.”
“These were young people with so much life ahead of them. Every drowning is a tragedy, but especially when we’re talking about young people,” he said.
“We’re urging everyone, with only a few days left in this main holiday period, to please show caution.”
“Respect the water and make sure we’re making good decisions around water so we don’t have further tragedy.”
Two sisters, aged 10 and 11, were also saved by police from the water in St Kilda on Monday night.
Victoria Police said in a statement that one of the girls and the police officer who rescued her encountered “rough and choppy waters” and a strong pull into the pier.
“The paid were exhausted and very lucky to escape serious injury,” police said.
Mr Treloar said swimming around piers and thick structures was always dangerous because they could create strong rip currents.
“Being out there that late in the day, when the lifeguards have gone home for the day, sometime that signals it’s time for you to go home as well,” he said.
Lifesavers urge caution as hot weather continues
Victorians have been warned to brace for one of the hottest days of the year today, as a heatwave pushes temperatures into the low 40s across parts of the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the hot weather would continue overnight and into tomorrow for much of Victoria, before a cool change crosses the state late tomorrow.
Melbourne is expected to reach a top of 37 degrees Celsius today.
Mr Treloar said Life Saving Victoria was doing all they could to prepare.
“There’ll be hundreds of volunteer lifeguards on duty… our drones will be out looking for dangers in the water, and of course the Westpac lifesaver helicopters will be flying right across the state from Barwon Heads to Moorabbin.”
Mr Treloar said water was always unpredictable and urged beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags, and to swim with a friend where possible.