A rock fisher has drowned in Sydney’s south and another is now in a stable condition, bringing the Easter long weekend drowning toll in NSW to five.
Surf Life Saving NSW’s State Operations Centre was advised of an unfolding incident at Wattamolla, south of Cronulla, at around 11.00am yesterday, where two rock fishers had reportedly been swept off the rocks.
The pair have since been retrieved and one was confirmed deceased on scene. The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter was involved in their extrication from the water, with a second person – understood to be a teenager – taken to hospital.
This brings the drowning toll since Friday 18 April to five (5) and the state’s coastal drowning toll since 1 July 2024 to 46. The search is still ongoing for a person missing off Little Bay.
Near misses
Several incidents across the state also resulted in near misses yesterday.
A man at Bass Point on the South Coast was washed off the rocks and rescued by a Surf Life Saving NSW jet ski, three members of the public were rescued by lifeguards after coming into trouble in the water in Coffs Harbour, and a rock fisher wearing a life jacket got back to shore safely at Avoca Beach early this morning after being swept into the water.
All five drownings have come as a result of members of the public being washed off rock shelves.
The first came over night on Thursday 17 April at around 11pm when a man in Wollongong Harbour was washed off the break wall. The second came early on Friday morning, 18 April, where a man was washed off the rocks at Middle Head Point in Mosman, just around the headland from Manly beach.
Late on Friday afternoon a young male was extricated from the water face down at Disaster Bay in Eden on the state’s far south coast, having been washed off the rocks at the location. A rock fisher on Saturday morning at Tathra on the state’s far south coast was also confirmed deceased after being swept into the ocean.
Take safety seriously
Surf Life Saving NSW is urging the public to stay vigilant and take their safety seriously, particularly after all four drowning incidents saw members of the public washed off rocks and into the ocean.
‘This is the worst Easter long weekend I’ve seen in many years,’ SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said. ‘I can’t stress enough how important it is for the public to be aware of the surf conditions when visiting the coastline and to not place themselves in a position of unnecessary risk.’
The risk of coastal drowning is more than four times greater on public holidays. To find your nearest patrolled beach, visit www.beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe App.
Beach safety tips
- Always swim between the red and yellow patrol flags, for your nearest patrolled beach check the BeachSafe app or website.
- Read the safety signs for information about the beach and ask a lifesaver or lifeguard for safety information.
- Always swim with someone else so you can look out for each other, and always supervise children around the water.
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- If you need help in the water, stay calm and attract attention by raising one arm
In an emergency, dial Triple Zero.
For information about patrol times, weather, and beach locations visit the Beachsafe Website or Download the App.
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