Tourist distracted by Facebook falls into water and almost drowns

Police plucked the victim from the ocean close to St Kilda's pier

SYDNEY (AP) — A tourist in Australia had to be rescued by police after plunging off a pier while browsing Facebook on her phone, officials said Wednesday.
The woman was walking along a bay in Melbourne on Monday night when she became distracted by her Facebook feed and plummeted off the pier into the chilly water, Victoria state police said.
A witness called for help and police rushed to the woman's aid. They found her flailing around in the water, about 20 meters (65 feet) from the pier.
"She was still out in the water lying on her back in a floating position because she told us later that she couldn't swim," Senior Constable Dean Kelly of the state water police told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "She still had her mobile phone in her hand and initially she apologized and said sorry.The woman had a backpack on, which may have helped her to stay afloat, he said."
The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment. It has been reported the woman was Taiwanese and in her mid-20s.
"With Facebook, or social media in general as far as we're concerned, if you're anywhere near the water just pay attention," Kelly said. "Especially if you can't swim."




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