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March 28, 2024

Swimmer missing in big swell at Brunswick Heads

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Surfing or flying? Big surf at Byron Bay on the weekend, whipped up by tropical cyclone Winston, saw most stay clear of the water but a brave few take to the waves. Photo Sean O'Shea
Surfing or flying? Big surf at Byron Bay on the weekend, whipped up by tropical cyclone Winston, saw most stay clear of the water but a brave few take to the waves. Photo Sean O’Shea

The wake of tropical cyclone Winston saw massive seas along the north coast over the weekend, with most swimmers and surfers avoiding the waves but some brave hearts taking to the water.

Sadly, police believe one swimmer may have gone missing.

He was last seen at 7.15pm on Friday (February 26) at Brunswick Heads beach.

At around that time police were informed that a male had been seen swimming in large surf.

Witnesses told police that they lost sight of the swimmer but could not be sure he left the water.

Local surf lifesavers responded with IRB patrols.

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Queensland Polair also conducted a search, which was abandoned due to fading light.

At 8am on Saturday (February 27), Brunswick Heads surf lifesavers completed a further search of the area, which also failed to locate the swimmer.

Tweed/Byron LAC has yet to receive any reports of a missing person and anyone with any information is encouraged to contact them.

A Surf Life Saving NSW spokesperson says the swells are expected to continue for several days and erosion of dunes is posing a safety problem for people on land.

North coast duty officer Jimmy Keogh said, ‘Not only are our beaches being exposed more to rips now, there has been a lot of coastal erosion… the dunal networks copped a fair impact.

‘So we are asking people to also stay away from those dune areas. They may be hazardous and very unstable,’ he told ABC this morning.


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