Twenty-five people have already died in reported drownings for 2005. Police Liaison Officer Insp. Walter Evans called this number “alarming.”
“We have had too many drownings,” Insp. Evans told the Guardian. “And we want to send out a message for people to be careful when near the sea [or water in general].”
He said July had been the most troubling month for police as eight people allegedly died from drowning. “That is 32 per cent of the total 25 deaths,” said Insp. Evans. “And again we feel that is just too high.”
Twenty-three of the 25 drownings, or 92 per cent claimed the lives of males. Twelve of those who drowned were over 40. New Providence was the site of 12 of the deaths and eight people have died on the islands of Grand Bahama, Andros, the Berry Islands and Exuma.
Insp. Evans reported that 18 of the incidents happened in open water, four in swimming pools and one each in an open pit, a bathtub and a blue-hole.
He called on small boaters to listen to travel advice before going out to sea, and to carry radios and life vests. He also urged parents to be “extra careful” when supervising children engaged in water activities.
By Raymond Kongwa, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
