A WOMAN has drowned at a popular beach south of Adelaide while reportedly trying to save a nine-year-old girl who had floated out to sea on an inflatable raft.
Police said they believed the 28-year-old tried to rescue the child at Aldinga Beach but fell into the water from what onlookers called a large inflatable she was sharing with several others.
Two people attempted to rescue the woman, dragging her to shore as horrified onlookers watched on at the crowded beach last night.
Paramedics arrived at around 6.30pm but she could not be revived. At least two others were treated at the scene, but did not appear to have life-threatening injuries. The child is believed to be safe.
The tragedy came as thousands flock to beaches to avoid the South Australian heatwave.
Witnesses said the group were on a large inflatable raft of the type commonly sold in stores this summer, which drifted into the ocean away from the shore in south-easterly winds.
Two helicopters, numerous ambulances and police swarmed upon the beach after initial fears a number of people had been stranded in deep water.
A police spokeswoman said no one was thought to be missing, but emergency services were checking nobody remained in the water.
It is thought the woman, whose name has not been released, was in the water with a group that included her younger sister when she got into strife.
Witness Rebecca, who did not reveal her last name, said: “When they pulled her back in (to shore), the younger woman was yelling ‘someone help my sister’ ... everyone rushed to grab on the inflatable and pulled them in.”
A witness called Darrell tried to resuscitate the victim. “Two kayakers swam out and paddled her (the woman) and a younger woman back in,” he said.
“I gave two rounds of compression, two breaths. She was unresponsive ... the emergency services were here almost immediately.”
It is thought the victim’s partner was on shore at the time with a group of children.
South Australia Police said in a statement: “A woman has died after being pulled from the water at Aldinga Beach this evening.
Police and emergency services were called to the area at about 6.40pm on Thursday 9 February, adjacent to the Lower Esplanade at Aldinga Beach after reports that a 28-year-old Aldinga woman had fallen off an inflatable swimming accessory while on the water.
“Sadly, the unconscious woman could not be revived, despite the best efforts of paramedics.
“Police will be preparing a report for the Coroner.
“Investigators ask that anyone who witnessed the incident, who has not yet spoken to police, to provide their details via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“Police wish to thank members of the public for their assistance in this matter.”
Surf Lifesaving South Australia operations officer Ben Laurenson said volunteers had already rescued at least two other people who came adrift on inflatable rafts this summer.
“We have responded to a couple of similar incidents this summer and have rescued some people from similar situations,” Mr Laurenson said.
“We would warn people to exercise extreme caution when they are in the water, no matter what they are doing and to swim between the flags.”
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