Two men caught floating on mattress in Murray floodwaters
Police have warned of the dangers of swimming in the flooded River Murray after two men were caught floating on an inflatable mattress.
Flooding at Blanchetown Caravan Park last year. Photo: Belinda Willis/InDaily
Just before 5.30pm yesterday, police were called to Weidenhofer Road, Ponde to reports of two people floating on the mattress.
Police liaised with SES who launched a boat to assist them to return to shore.
The two men aged 21 and 39-years old from Ponde were met by police when they returned to shore where they were cautioned for non-compliance with the Emergency Declaration for a banned water activity.
Restrictions now apply in relation to the River Murray, including a ban on recreational boating and water activities, on all parts of the River Murray between the South Australian border and the Wellington Ferry, including creeks, tributaries, lakes and lagoons(excluding Lake Bonney).
Why are there restrictions on recreational boating on the River Murray?
Visit our Marine Safety SA website for the latest information and frequently asked questions: https://t.co/TFCvI54IwK pic.twitter.com/hoj0qENlHG
— SA Infrastructure & Transport (@DFIT_SA) December 21, 2022
It comes after Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the ban on non-essential river activities on Tuesday.
Malinauskas said waves from boats and activity on the river’s edges could damage levee banks and if those swimming or on boats found themselves in trouble, “this means emergency services have to be deployed and leave other work in the community”.
However, the ban does not apply to those who are working on or have employment related to being on the water, for those providing food, water, medical assistance, sandbags, emergency help to people or animals, or people accessing their own property.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs told ABC radio that modelling of river peaks has been accurate since November 10.
“The good news is that modelling (predicted this week), which is 190 gigalitres to 220 gigalitres, has been consistent since the 10th of November,” Szakacs said.
“The two towns’ two areas that we are the most sure of now, and which will be feeling the brunt of this first, is Renmark and Berri and our advice is that the peaks there will be coming really anytime from now, tonight and tomorrow through to Christmas Day, or Boxing Day.”
More information on River Murray flooding can be found at www.sa.gov.au/floods.
