Another person has sadly drowned after attempting to rescue a child from the surf, making it the third bystander drowning for the summer in NSW.
At around 6.30pm on Wednesday, the State Operations Centre (SOC) was alerted to a rescue and resuscitation at Lennox Head’s Seven Mile Beach. It’s believed a 45 year-old man was with his family on the beach when he entered the water to attempt to rescue his 11 year-old daughter who was on a bodyboard.
The SOC activated the Lennox Head-Alstonville SLSC Emergency Call Out Team, and Far North Coast Branch Duty Officers. Additionally the Lifeguard Supervisor and UAV Coordinator were put on standby.
While the daughter was able to return to shore a short time later and two police officers entered the water to find the man, he was recovered by lifesavers and lifeguards and CPR performed at the scene by paramedics was unsuccessful.
The drowning brings the summer coastal drowning toll to 10 in NSW, three of which have been in similar circumstances. Each of the three bystander rescue drownings were parents going to the aid of their children who were caught in a rip current at an unpatrolled beach.
Seven Mile Beach is patrolled by the Australian Lifeguard Service until 6pm at this time of year.
“Since 1 December, volunteer lifesavers and Australian Lifeguard Service lifeguards have performed over 1760 rescues along our coastline,” said Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce.
“For the summer so far, there have been 10 coastal drowning incidents, and each of those have come at an unpatrolled location or away from the red and yellow flags.
“It’s completely understandable that as parents, we would go to the aid of our kids in trouble without question. Sadly though, it so often ends in tragedies like this.
“The huge number of rescues our volunteers have performed in just the last few weeks demonstrates that even good swimmers can get into trouble very quickly in the surf.
“Our message all summer has been that if you’re visiting the coastline, swim at a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags.”
There have been 22 coastal drowning fatalities in NSW since 1 July 2022.
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.