Over the weekend four people drowned while three others were hospitalized after almost dying in the water.
“The fine weather is unfortunately a large reason,” said Anders Wernersten of the Swedish lifesaving river rescue organization (livräddningssällskapet.)
In the first three weeks of July almost one person a day drowned in Sweden. Most of the victims have been men.
On Saturday three men drowned in different parts of the country. A 20-year old died in Kalbergs canal in Stockholm after being found in a dinghy boat which he was using to compete in a race.
Another man was found lifeless in Upplands-Bro north Stockholm on the dock. In Blekinge a 30-year old was discovered dead on Saturday night after swimming in a triathlon race earlier in the day.
On Sunday an elderly woman was found dead in a canal in Kristianstad.
“The nice weather prompts many people to turn to water. You might think that drowning numbers wouldn’t increase due to all the information on how to behave but sadly that is not the case,” added Wernersten.
Along with the deaths a man in his 60s was treated for serious injuries after a drowning incident in Skåne. Several reports of near drownings involving children also occurred over the weekend but none were fatal.
Deaths caused by drowning have risen this year according to statistics released by the Swedish lifesaving river rescue organization.
A total of 72 people drowned up until July 22nd compared to 55 for the same period in 2012.
TT/The Local/pr
Additional information from SVT
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