Kenyan Student Drowns in Australia

A Kenyan family is mourning the loss of their relative, Orville Kimutai Tures, who drowned while swimming in a lake in Stockton, Newcastle, Australia.

Tures, 23, was a student at the University of Western Australia. He had been studying in Perth since March 2023.

On Saturday, September 9, Tures went swimming in Stockton Lake at around 3:15 p.m. He was unable to be assisted by members of the public who were on the shore, and he drowned.

Police divers found Tures’ body on Monday.

Tures’ family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to repatriate his body back to Kenya.

“The family in Kenya is mourning their beloved son who is miles away,” the family said on the crowdfunding platform. “We would like to respectfully request your support and prayers during this difficult time.”

This is the second time in recent months that a Kenyan student has drowned in Australia. In February 2023, Sharon Jepkosgei Kigen, who was also new to the country, drowned while swimming in the Georges River at Macquarie Fields.

Both Tures and Kigen were students at Australian universities. Their deaths are a reminder of the dangers of swimming in unfamiliar waters.

If you are planning to swim in Australia, it is important to be aware of the risks and to take precautions. Always swim with a buddy, and never swim alone. Be aware of the currents and tides, and do not swim in areas that are known to be dangerous.

My thoughts are with the families of Tures and Kigen during this difficult time.