WA: Double drowning sparks call for new laws

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2001
WA: Double drowning sparks call for new laws

The Royal Life Saving Society is calling for new legislation, following the deaths
of two young children in separate drowning incidents in Perth.

A two-year-old boy was pulled from a garden pond at a house in the eastern suburb of
Thornlie, as about 100 guests celebrated the child's birthday on Saturday night.

Despite resuscitation attempts by ambulance officers the boy died.

Shortly afterwards, the body of a five-year-old boy was discovered in a backyard swimming
pool in the suburb of Medina.

Royal Life Saving Society spokesman GREG TATE says water-related accidents claim the
lives of about eight children a year.

He says the society wants the state government to enact laws to isolate Western Australia's
72,000 unfenced backyard swimming pools.

Mr TATE has told ABC radio people selling or buying homes should be made to be responsible
for fencing off pools to current standards.

The Health Act states that under local government laws, all private swimming pools
must be enclosed.

AAP RTV rm/jtb

KEYWORD: DROWNINGS (PERTH)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.