South Australian authorities warn hospitalisations from water activities have doubled in summer 2024

The family of a young woman who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident has warned families to be careful around water.

Presentations to the emergency department for water-related accidents have more than doubled in children this summer, according to new figures from South Australian authorities.

Hayley Sands was 13 years old in January 2013 when she jumped into the family pool, tilted her head back and sustained a spinal cord injury from whiplash.

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Her mother, Sharon, said Hayley lost feeling in her hands and feet straight away, then spent the next eight months in hospital.

Hayley later became a member of the Australian Para Table Tennis Team.

Sharon said while her daughter was incredibly resilient, she wanted to warn other families to be vigilant while enjoying the water this summer.

“Never take water for granted … we all need to be vigilant when children go near water … we can’t reverse these things,” Sharon said.

An analysis of presentations to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital found 10 children have so far been hospitalised with water sport related injuries in 2024, compared to four children in the summer of 2023.

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network said in the last five weeks, doctors have provided treatment for children with spinal and neck injuries as well as broken bones.

Women’s and Children’s Hospital paediatric surgeon Dr Rebecca Cooksey said the accidents were mostly a result of jetty jumping, speed boating or near drowning.

She said most of the children who were admitted were boys, and the average age of a patient was 12-years-old.

“Many of the incidents we see, could have been prevented,” Cooksey said.

“Make sure you always have an adult supervising … look out for the signs that are on the beach and on the river, in particular the speed limits.”

The Women’s and Children’s Health Network has also advised families to follow a number of safety procedures if they are participating in water activities.

Swimmers are advised to swim in designated areas and beware of rips.

Families should always supervise children in water, and not be distracted by mobile phones.

Isaac McGair, 16, also warned young people to be mindful that there could be items submerged in the water that can cause serious injuries.

McGair fractured multiple bones near his pelvis in October 2023, when he crashed into two submerged wooden poles while riding an inflatable raft being towed by a boat on the Murray River in Mannum.

“I didn’t know what hit me because I was in such shock. Next thing I knew, I was in the water, and I was in absolute pain,” he said.

As he was climbing the stairs back onto the boat, McGair felt his bone pushing against his left buttocks.

His father rang the ambulance, while the 16-year-old tried to remain clam.

“I was lying on my right side in absolute shock,” McGair said.

In the lead up to the Australia Day long weekend, he warned other young people to adhere to warnings, including from their parents, about the dangers of water sports.

“Know your limits. Don’t do stuff that adults wouldn’t do.”