Boats crash at Grays Point; 12 rescued in rips, dozens flee surf in shark scare

The long weekend is off to a horror start with a teenage girl dying in hospital after a boat collision, 12 people rescued from rips and dozens evacuated from the surf following a shark scare.

A 16-year-old girl has died in hospital after two boats collided at Grays Point this morning.

Emergency services rushed to the boat ramp at Grays Point just after 10.15am on Friday, after reports a teen was seriously injured when two small aluminium vessels collided on the water.

It’s understood she was found face down, and was pulled from the water by members of the public who performed CPR until emergency services arrived.

A critical care doctor and paramedic were winched in to the Grays Point Reserve via rescue chopper to assist her.

The teen girl suffered critical injuries, and was taken to St George Hospital via road ambulance but later died there.

It’s understood the girl was on a boat with family and friends, some of whom were seen being comforted by NSW Ambulance and NSW Police crews at the scene.

A teenager was critically injured in the boat crash at Grays Point. Picture: TNV

Two boys, also aged 16, who were involved in the collision, were also taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Police have seized a boat and are now investigating how the incident occurred.

The teenager was pulled from the water by members of the public. Picture: TNV

A critical care doctor and paramedic were winched in via rescue chopper. Picture: TNV

It comes as at least 12 people were rescued from rips across beaches on the NSW south coast on Australia Day.

Seven teenagers and another man were rescued simultaneously shortly after 8am at Austinmer Beach in Wollongong.

“Seven teenagers got caught in a rip at the southern end of the beach, they were pulled from the water by members of the public using boards,” Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officer Anthony Turner told The Saturday Telegraph.

“Two of the patients were treated by NSW Ambulance for swallowing salt water but have since been released.”

Multiple people were rescued from rips across Wollongong beaches on Australia Day Morning. Picture: SLSA

Just north of Wollongong at Stanwell Park dozens of people were evacuated from the water after lifeguards spotted a shark cruising near the shore. Picture: SLSA

At the northern end of the beach, another man was pulled out to sea.

“At the same time we had another rescue at the north end, we responded to it with a jet ski and got him into shore,” Mr Turner said.

“So eight people were rescued in a short period of time at the same beach.”

In a more recent incident, four men were rescued after they were swept out to sea by a rip at Woonona Beach.

“Luckily a lifeguard drove past and kept multiple afloat until one of our jetskis brought them back in,” Mr Turner said.

“It’s a timely reminder people need to read the warnings and always swim between red and yellow flags.

“Twelve people in a two hour period at unpatrolled times.”

Just north of Wollongong at Stanwell Park dozens of people were evacuated from the water after lifeguards spotted a shark cruising near the shore. A baby shark also forced swimmers fronm the water in La Perouse, after it swam up close to the shore.

And revellers trying to beat the heat at the indoor pool at Sydney Olympic Park were forced to evaluate the pool when a child vomited in the water.

Witnesses told The Telegraph the Splashers Playground was cleared for one hour while the mess was cleaned up.

The water slide pool and whirlpool were cleared before swimmers were told they could get back in the period leading up to midday.

However, a number opted not to dive back in.

Paramedics attended multiple Australia Day emergencies on Friday. Picture: SLSA

“There’s not enough chlorine in the world,” concerned mother Megan Carter said after she opted not to let her young son back in the pool.

The emergencies came amid blistering Australia Day temperatures with the mercury tipped to reach as high as 45C on the state’s Mid North Coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast the regional capital of Newcastle will hit a whopping 41C on Australia Day, as inland areas and the coast swelter though the mid-40s.

In Sydney, residents are being warned to expect blistering heats of up to 38C on Friday.

At just 5am, the CBD was at almost 28C.

Areas in the city’s west are bracing for the worst of the heatwave.