Woman dead in Cape Schanck drowning tragedy

A woman has drowned after a group was swept off the rocks at Cape Schanck on Monday afternoon.

A woman has drowned after she was swept off the rocks at Cape Schanck.

A woman has drowned after a group was swept off rocks on the Mornington Peninsula on Monday.

Three people were pulled into the water in Cape Schanck, but only two swimmers made it back to shore.

Emergency services pulled the woman from the water at the bottom of the beach’s boardwalk about 12.15pm, but she had already died.

She has not been formally identified.

People at Cape Schanck on Monday shortly after the drowning.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The area is also a popular spot for rock fishing despite the dangers.

Several signs in the area note that any rock fisherman must where life jackets in case they find themselves swept in to the waters.

Another sign on the way into the area warns people of the threat of sudden large waves.

Rob Withers, from Ringwood was visiting the area with family on Monday.

“It’s a touristy type area, too,” he said.

“You know, you are on holidays, having fun and you wander down there, not expecting that.

“But what can they do? Fence the whole area off. I don’t know.

“There are lots of signs around about the dangers, and they use a lot of symbols, which is good (for tourists).

“But I am surprised they don’t have something down by the rocks today, to say this happened.”

A young couple visiting the cape said they had no idea about the incident but it likely wouldn’t have dissuaded them from climbing down the rocks.

“We had no idea what was going on, but we noticed the media presence up at the car park,” they said.

“It probably wouldn’t have stopped us coming down (had we known).”

Originally published as Woman dead in Cape Schanck drowning tragedy