Police are investigating the death of a man in his 60s, whose body was pulled from the ocean at Brunswick Heads this morning.
Local surfers helped pull the body from the water a short distance from the north wall about 8.15am.
Surf Life Saving Far North Coast duty officer Jimmy Keogh told media the deceased was a middle-aged man who most likely drowned while swimming.
Mr Keogh said local police and lifesavers were notified of the body, which was floating a short distance off the north wall, at about 8.15am.
Mr Keogh said local surfers helped pull the body from the water but paramedics determined that the man was deceased.
The man was taken by ambulance to Mullumbimby Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
He was reported to have entered the surf earlier this morning in front of the club, 500 metres from where he was found.
Surf conditions have been hazardous for several days however have improved today. Northern Emergency Coordinator Jimmy Keough attended the scene and said that while the surf is no longer hazardous, conditions remain unpredictable.
‘We’ve had several drownings at this location this year and coming into the busy holiday period, we want to urge people to not take risks, swim between the flags and watch out for your mates,’ said Jimmy Keough.
A man drowned in February and another in March in the same location.
A large swell that struck the coast over the weekend has since abated, and conditions are fine with a slight northerly current.
Mr Keogh said the conditions were ‘not too bad, with plenty of surfers enjoying the easing swell, although inexperienced people would struggle.
‘There’s still a fair bit of water moving, and due caution is encouraged for all swimmers over the coming days,’ he told APN media
He said it was always tragic to see a drowning, but especially so early in the holiday season.
‘It’s a bad start for what we’ve got on our doorstep this year, with an influx of beachgoers over Christmas.’
Police are attempting to identify the man and locate his next of kin while investigations into his death are continuing.
They are are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
