Drowning numbers in Nova Scotia worries Lifesaving Society

Following a rash of recent drownings, an official with the Lifesaving Society says Nova Scotia is on track for more water-related deaths in 2015 than average.

There have been six deaths in eight days between Aug. 16 and Aug. 24 on the province'slakes, rivers and coastlines.

"The last couple of weeks have been very tragic for us," said Paul D'Eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service.

He said on average there are 12 to 20 water-related deaths in Nova Scotia.

"Our numbers right now are indicating we'll be at the top end of that," he said.

The most recent death was confirmedMondaymorning, when searchers discovered the bodyof a missing 12-year-old Calgary boy in the LaHave River.

• See a map of all the water-related deaths so far this year

The details from each case range vastly. The youngest victim this year was the 12-year-old boy; the oldest was an 83-year-old woman who died last Thursday, also on the LaHave River.

Deaths have occurred in rivers, lakes and along the coast.

"We're heading into tropical storm and hurricane season," said D'Eon. "So our risk has not ended."

"There is probably at least another month or more left of high usage in our Nova Scotia water. It's likely going to be at least another month before the swimming-related drownings end," he said.