Six drownings across country over Easter long weekend

A sixth person has drowned after wild weather whipped up dangerous seas across the country over the Easter long weekend.

Wild seas have claimed a sixth life this Easter long weekend, with hazardous surf conditions finally expected to ease throughout Sunday.

Two people were fishing off rocks at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park when they were swept into the water about 11am on Sunday.

Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, Polair, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended, and the two people were winched from the water.

One man was unable to be revived and died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

A 14-year-old boy was taken to the Children’s Hospital at Randwick.

He remains in a stable condition.

It comes after the body of a rock fisherman was found after emergency services were called to Kianinny Bay near the Kangarutha Walking Track in Tathra, on the NSW Far South Coast, on Saturday morning.

The Wattamolla death marked the sixth water-related fatality this Easter long weekend, and while some hazardous surf conditions are expected to ease on Sunday, emergency services are continuing to urge beachgoers to remain vigilant.

Huge swells hit the Sydney coastline over the Easter Weekend, leading to the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a hazardous surf warning for the coast of NSW. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Despite warnings from authorities, surfers and fishermen still took the risk in wild seas. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Officers from the South Coast Police District, along with Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance paramedics, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Surf Life Saving NSW and Marine Area Command, launched a major search operation.

About 10.40am, a body was located in nearby waters. While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the fisherman.

Police have launched an investigation, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

A woman has died and a man is missing after a group was washed off rocks at a beach in a popular holiday destination in Victoria's south. 9News

A warning by the Bureau of Meteorology for hazardous surf conditions for northern NSW, the NSW South Coast and the Gold Coast was cancelled on Sunday morning.

However, a wind marine warning remains in place for the NSW far south coast.

Those hoping to partake in coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming are being urged to check conditions and where possible avoid walking near surf-exposed areas over the remainder of the Easter long weekend.

The downgraded warnings on Sunday come just days after six people died in dangerous surf over the long weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology has downgraded warnings for wild surf that hit Sydney beaches on Good Friday and Easter Saturday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

On Friday afternoon, a man drowned at City Rock Road, Green Cape on the NSW south coast.

According to police, he had been fishing before being washed off rocks. A short time later, a body was located in the water. The body is yet to be formally identified.

Another fisherman died earlier that day after being swept off a rock wall at Endeavour Dr at the Wollongong Harbour about 6.15am. He was pulled from the water unconscious.

Despite resuscitation attempts from police, the 58-year-old man could not be saved.

“Initial inquiries have led police to believe the man was fishing on a rock wall nearby when he was swept into the water,” a police statement read.

Warm weather and high seas brought out crowds despite warnings. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

A report will be prepared for the coroner, and police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident and has not spoken to authorities to come forward.

Another person drowned in an incident at Middle Head in Mosman.

Emergency services were called to Middle Head Point at 10.20am on Friday following reports of a concern for the welfare of a man in the water.

Police, with assistance from Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance paramedics and Marine Area Command, commenced an operation to locate the man. A short time later, a body was located in nearby water.

While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the man.

Initial inquiries have led police to believe the man was on rocks when he fell into the water.

Meanwhile, three people were swept out to sea in Victoria on Good Friday.

Emergency services were called to a beach off Punch Bowl Road in San Remo, in Victoria’s south, after three people were swept into the sea.

“One of the women managed to make her way back to shore but the other woman and the man were unable to,” Victoria Police said.

The Air Wing conducted a helicopter search for the two missing people and discovered an unresponsive woman in the waves.

She was pulled from the water and brought back to shore, but could not be revived.

The search for the missing man is ongoing.

Originally published as Six drownings across country over Easter long weekend