Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, became Australia's leading cause of death in 2024, overtaking coronary heart disease. Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows it killed more than 19,000 people last year, accounting for over 10 per cent of all deaths for the first time. Women made up 61 per cent of dementia deaths. Dementia Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan called for greater recognition and funding, saying an estimated 446,500 people are living with the disease. Suicide remained the leading cause of premature death in 2025, with more than 3000 deaths.
A woman and a child have been found dead outside a 30-storey apartment tower in Box Hill, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Police found the woman's body on the footpath on Prospect Street at about 6.20pm on Thursday, with the child unresponsive nearby. Both could not be revived and died at the scene. Detectives are investigating the circumstances, and the area has been cordoned off. Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. It is unclear whether the pair lived in the complex.
Killcare Surf Life Saving Club is mourning the deaths of two well-loved members. They are legendary lifesaver and coach John Bourne, known as JB, and young patroller Angus Stevenson, aged 22.
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Two men have died after a light plane crashed into a paddock in Scone, in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales. Emergency services were called just before 2pm AEDT on Friday. NSW Police are working to identify the men, and a crime scene has been set up near the Scone Aerodrome for examination by specialist officers. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been told of the crash but does not investigate recreational aircraft accidents. The aircraft was a kit-built plane on the recreational register. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
A University of Chicago research group projects 451,000 extra deaths from heat linked to the current Super El Niño, compared with a normal year. The forecast covers the first nine months of the event, from June to February. Nigeria is projected to face the largest toll in the Sahel, with 31,400 additional heat deaths. Indonesia, India and Brazil also rank among the most affected countries. The researchers describe the temperatures as a preview of conditions expected about 20 years from now.
A fatal traffic incident in Tinana South, Fraser Coast, claimed two lives on 8 October. Emergency responders attended Springvale Road after a blue Subaru Tribeca entered a dam. Authorities discovered a 36-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl deceased inside the vehicle. The Forensic Crash Unit is probing the circumstances surrounding the collision. Police seek witnesses or footage from the scene or preceding events.
An average of 17 older Australians died daily in 2025-26 while waiting for home care funding, a 34 per cent increase from the previous year. Over 100,000 Australians are stuck in a funding backlog, often leading to earlier hospitalisation or residential aged care. The Opposition accused the government of hiding the data, while aged care advocates described the figures as tragic and demanded faster access to care packages.
Hundreds of prematurely born flying foxes have died along the NSW east coast, with more deaths expected. Wildlife Rescue South Coast and WIRES veterinarians say starvation is the likely cause, linked to poor food availability. Investigations are ongoing to rule out other factors, such as toxins or diseases. The community is warned not to touch or feed the animals due to potential health risks.
