The Royal Life Saving Society is urgently warning all Northern Territory families of the risks of flood waters after the death of a 13-year-old at Rapid Creek on 16 February.

The Royal Life Saving Society Northern Territory extends its deepest sympathy to the parents and friends of the young boy who passed away overnight. "While flooded waters can often be enticing to youngsters, the fast flowing water and the debris it carries can quickly turn deadly," Executive Director of Royal Life Saving Northern Territory Floss Roberts said.

"This is a harsh reminder to parents and carers that their children are at risk when they use the floodwaters at Rapid Creek as a fun park. Riding the rapids looks like a lot of fun, but there are so many risks that aren't necessarily obvious to the naked eye. "For example, you can have a huge load of water enter upstream and end up with an unexpected surge of water that is much more fast-flowing. Submerged items like tree trunks and even discarded rubbish when travelling in fast flowing water can also prove fatal.

"Young children and teenagers haven't yet developed the skills that would help them to accurately judge risks to their safety, like flood waters. All Territorians need to understand where it is safe to swim and where it is not safe to swim. "It may look like fun, but Rapid Creek is not a safe swimming place. Last year nine people drowned in the Territory and sadly all of these deaths were preventable".

The Northern Territory has the highest drowning rate, per capita in Australia. For every drowning death it is estimated there are four near-drowning incidents. Royal Life Saving Northern Territory fears there may be a surge in drowning deaths as many Primary Schools, particularly in the Darwin region, no longer conduct a structured swimming and water safety survival program.

"We know that if you teach a child swimming and water safety skills the risk of them drowning reduces dramatically, so investing in water safety education is vital if we are going to save young lives." For further information and interviews please contact: Floss Roberts Royal Life Saving Northern Territory P) 08 89 815 036 M) 0408 857 880