Recent immigrant Olya Tikanovha died after she slipped on the black rocks at Salmon Beach and fell into the surf. Photo: GoFundMe/Geoff Vivian
Saturday saw yet another death after a woman was swept off the rocks at Salmon Beach just after 11am.
A police spokesman said the 40-year-old woman was pulled from the water but was unable to be revived.
Esperance Surf Lifesaving Club representative Chris Brien said the woman was a visitor from Perth, and The Weekender understands she was taking photographs when she slipped and fell into the sea.
Numerous people have died over the years after venturing onto the slippery black rocks that make up much of the Esperance and South Coast foreshore.
The latest fatality occurred despite prominent warning signs displayed at the Salmon Beach entrance and the road to the car park.
Marine Rescue Commander and SES local manager Leonie Henderson had a simple message to anyone visiting the south coast.
“Stay off the black rocks, if you are a tourist in town definitely stay off the black rocks,” she said.
The tragedy unfolds
Just before 11am on Saturday, Marine Rescue Commander and SES Esperance local manager Leonie Henderson took a call. Someone had been swept off the rocks at Salmon Beach and was unable to get out of the rough seas.
She set out immediately, contacting the Surf Lifesaving Club on the way.
“Because it was very much the stamping ground of surf rescue I rang them,” she said.
“I said: ‘can we get one of your guys to attend?'”
Esperance Surf Live Saving club’s emergency response coordinator Chris Brien took over.
“One our guys was on the scene very shortly,” he said.
“He had a surfboard with him, paddled out, got the patient and paddled back in.
“Myself and another person from the surf club helped the rescuer, put her on a St John litter, carried her to the ambulance and they took over from there.”
St John Ambulance staff were unable to revive the woman.
She was Olya Tikanovha, who had fled Ukraine with her daughter to join her husband Vladyslav who had found work in Perth. They were on holiday in Esperance.
Mr Tikanovha has started a GoFundMe appeal to help his family.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Town in shock
Esperance Shire president Ron Chambers said the town was in shock after a visitor drowned at Salmon Beach.
“Our hearts go out to the friends and family of the deceased,” he said. “This is a genuine tragedy.”
“The Esperance coastline is beautiful but naturally dangerous. Many people visit our region, but it’s up to them to understand the risks before venturing out. That’s why we’ve worked so hard in partnership with the Coastal Safety Group on Coastal Safety messaging.”
The Coastal Safety Group is an arm of the Local Emergency Management Committee and promotes vital information on coastal safety and local conditions.
The Group gets the message out with pamphlets about local hazards distributed to caravan parks, motels, petrol stations, and the Visitors Centre; and social media.
The group also organised electronic messaging board displaying messages including stay off coastal rocks, know our hazards, wear a life jacket, have the right gear to fish safely, and where to find Coastal Safety information online.
The group works with the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development on the implementation of Beach Emergency Number (BEN) signs, and Safety signs using international symbols to highlight dangers.
“Through the Coastal Safety Group, two large banners are located at Salmon Beach warning about the dangers,” President Chambers said.
“One even says lives have been lost and has white crosses on it. It’s frustrating when these warnings are ignored. The loss of life affects us all.”
Esperance Police Officer in Charge, Acting Senior Sergeant Natasha Phillips added “Sadly, another tourist has drowned in Esperance less than 24 hours after arriving.
“Esperance Police work with Surf Lifesaving, the SES, and the Shire through the Coastal Safety Group to raise awareness of local hazards. It’s everyone’s responsibility to understand these dangers.
“People are of the mindset that it could never happen to them or their loved ones, but the sad reality is that nobody is immune to the dangers of our coast.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the victim. Unfortunately, these tragedies create a ripple effect with a long-lasting impact on not just the immediate family and friends of the victim, but also our local community and volunteers who are often tasked with recovering the bodies.”
Mr Chambers had a clear message for visitors and locals:
“Your safety is your responsibility.
“Stay off the black, slippery rocks.
If you see something, say something.”
