Christmas morning in my town in the far south west, there were 100s of people down on the local beach, lots in swimming.
I was heading into the sea with my family group and there was a man, face down in the sea, being moved around by the surf.
He in his 80s (?) and had gone out for a swim in just trunks. He was only 1-2 metres from the shore, in thigh high water, but he had gotten so cold and disoriented he was just silently and peacefully drowning while dozens of people were absorbed in their own family groups and fun. He had lost the ability think about getting his feet under him to stand up.
I got his face out of the water and he just blinked up at me. My mum (73! and also going in for a swim) and I got him to his feet and up the beach to where his towel and clothes were. He was still really out of it but we could tell he was going to be ok.
The whole incident was bizarre. Literally no one else noticed him drowning or us rescuing him. They were so caught up in their own thing. This is how kids drown in crowded pools, isn't it?
Drowning is silent, there's no splashing about, no cries for help. Even after I hauled him up and asked if he was ok he didn't say anything. He wasn't loud panicking, it was like he'd half shut down.
It should have been a safe day today. It was a mild temperature, low tide so shallow entry, small, non-powerful surf.
A long time afterwards a couple of people nearby said they thought he was just enjoying floating in the waves. Because he wasn't panicking.
Anyway, if you are by the sea this Christmas, look around, check if everyone is ok. Happy Christmas everyone.