Following a spate of recent fatal accidents, a James Cook University scientist is warning of the drowning danger posed by waterfalls as people flock outdoors and look to cool off over the Australia Day long weekend.
Richard Franklin, Professor of Public Health at JCU, said a surprising number of people have died at waterfalls and waterholes, which can contain hidden dangers from slippery rocks to unexpected currents to turbulent water.
He said the deaths of two teenagers at a waterfall on the Sunshine Coast last weekend, the death of a 30-year-old man at a waterfall near Cairns on January 13, and the death of a 55-year-old man at a waterfall also near Cairns on December 29 only serve to underscore the dangers.
"While many of us know about the risks of drowning in the ocean, rivers are actually more deadly. Over the past 22 years, slightly more people have drowned in rivers and creeks than any other body of water. The drowning figures from 2022–23 show 76 people died in rivers and creeks, compared to 75 at beaches," said Professor Franklin.
He said waterfalls are particularly dangerous because when water cascades it often carves out a deep pool, known as a plunge pool.
"Where the waterfall hits the pool, it creates turbulence and currents. If large volumes of water are falling, the pressure can be enough to push people underneath. Currents can also carry people underneath a rock ledge and trap them," said Professor Franklin.
He said droplets and mist from the falls mean the rocky sides are inevitably slippery and often covered in algae or moss.
"There's also the popularity factor. The more inexperienced people who go, the higher the chance of something going wrong. Social media reels of influencers at beautiful locations encourage more people to seek out secluded waterfalls," said Professor Franklin.
He said deaths at waterfalls are rolled into statistics for river-related deaths. But one estimate shows 5% of drownings in inland water sources took place at waterfalls or swimming holes over the ten years to 2021.
"We do know there's been a surge in 'selfie' deaths worldwide in recent years. Some of these deaths take place at waterfalls, usually when visitors jump the fence or make their way to the lip of the waterfall before slipping and dying," said Professor Franklin.
He said a compounding factor is that while beaches have lifeguards, waterfalls, waterholes and rivers do not.
"Rescuers can take hours to arrive, while drowning happens very quickly," said Professor Franklin.
He said authorities put up warning signs, but most people simply ignore them, according to a Queensland government spokesperson.
"Just as you would check a new beach for signs of rip currents or dangerous waves, you should check waterfalls and waterholes for hidden dangers. Don't assume picturesque places are safe because they're pretty.
"Remember the lip of a waterfall is extremely slippery and gravity is not on your side. Alcohol and waterfalls are also a bad mix. Swim first, drink later," said Professor Franklin.
