A 24-year Sydney man who police were told was visiting Yamba with a friend was swept out to sea on Monday, February 26, at Pippi Beach and tragically drowned.

Emergency service crews were called to Pippi Beach, Yamba, about 2.30pm after reports a man had encountered difficulty in the surf.

A search involving Surf Life Saving NSW Lifesavers, officers from the Coffs Clarence Police District and NSW Police Marine Area Command, the Gold Coast based rescue helicopter, and NSW Ambulance paramedics was quickly launched.

Police were told the man was in shallow water at the unpatrolled beach with a friend when he was swept away by a wave, before he signalled for help and then disappeared.

At about 6pm, the man was spotted by a helicopter crew and was quickly retrieved from the ocean by lifesavers, but he could not be revived by paramedics and died at the scene.

Following a five-year drowning average of 94, the 2023-24 Royal Lifesaving Australia’s summer drowning dashboard shows out of 99 drownings across Australia this summer, this was number 95, and over the same period last year, 90 people drowned.

Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Cr Peter Johnstone extended his deepest sympathies on behalf of the Clarence Valley towards the family and friends of the man.

“It’s a very sad and challenging time for all those involved in this incident, and our thoughts are also with the first responders, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Crew and the local Lifesavers, Emergency Services, Police and Ambulance personnel who conducted the search and attended the scene,” he said.

A report on the man’s death will be prepared for the coroner.