Mornington Peninsula, VIC: Man on inflatable kayak found dead off Rosebud Pier
The body of a man on an inflatable kayak has been pulled from the water off Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Emergency services were called to Rosebud Pier at Rosebud, about 61km south of Melbourne’s CBD, about 3.30pm Thursday after reports of a man in trouble on the kayak 300-800m offshore.
He was seen falling into the water. His body was found about 5.30pm.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said a report will be prepared for the coroner.
It’s the latest in a spate of fatal drownings across Australia, mostly in NSW and Queensland, since Christmas Day on Monday.
Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) said as of Wednesday, 21 people have drowned in Australian waters since the start of December, compared to 19 at the same time in 2022.
RLSA chief Justin Scarr said the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day are often the deadliest period for drowning. “Whether you are holidaying, day tripping choosing a safe location to swim, where lifeguards are on duty is essential,” he said.
“Rivers, lakes, and unpatrolled beaches can be incredibly dangerous, especially for people with poor swimming skills.”
