The tragedy occurred at the locally known ‘Green Patch’ area approximately 400 metres east of the Cullens Road boat ramp at about 12:50pm on Saturday, January 26.
Local emergency services quickly responded to a report of the drowning along with officers from both NSW Police and Victoria Police. The man’s body was recovered at about 1.10pm.
Police enquiries indicate that the man, Leigh Marshall, had entered the river with a group of friends. He had allegedly decided to attempt to swim out to the middle of the river towards some large exposed logs.
It is believed the deceased had limited swimming ability and upon entering the deeper water got himself into difficulty. One of the deceased’s friends attempted to rescue him but was unable to save him.
The man’s body was located by local SES operators and brought to shore where he was later pronounced deceased.
SES Controller at Yarrawonga, Rohan Williams, described the drowning as an unfortunate accident. “The deceased had been with about 10 mates in his party,” he told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
Mulwala Police Sergeant Grant Churchin mentioned the difficulty encountered by the man to stay afloat.
“Our enquiries to date indicate the male had very limited swimming experience and his judgement on the day appears to have been impaired by the amount of alcohol he had consumed,” Sgt. Churchin said.
“He appears to have disregarded all advice about swimming in the river whilst under the influence of alcohol. The river had a very strong current running at the time.
“The power of the current causes poor swimmers to easily get into trouble dragging them into deep water. It can be more dangerous than rips seen at a beach.”
A front page article in the Yarrawonga Chronicle on January 16 highlighted local regional rescue volunteer Peter Wright’s concerns over the current hot summer and people swimming in the river while under the influence.
In the 38 years that Peter Wright, who was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on the weekend, has worked with the regional Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), he has seen in excess of 50 drownings.
According to Australian Royal Life Saving Society over 1,000 people have died from drownings in Australian rivers, creeks and streams between 2003 and 2018, while a further estimated 522 people were hospitalised for a non-fatal drowning incident – many left with a permanent disability.
Of fatalities in the past 10 years, the Murray River (41 deaths) holds the unwanted mantle as the top river drowning blackspot in Australia. Around 80 per cent of drowning deaths are accounted for by males, while, alarmingly, 56 per cent of those had a contributory level of alcohol and/or drugs in their system.
The Yarrawonga incident on the weekend adds to the heartbreak that occurred in December, where a five-year-old boy lost his life after falling off and being trapped under a boat at Lake Eildon despite wearing a life jacket along with the tragic incident earlier this month where a 21 year-old university student went missing on the river at Albury while swimming waist deep with friends.
NSW Police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the Yarrawonga incident. A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.