Distressing scenes at Kurnell in Sydney’s south as two women perish in ocean tragedy

Police have revealed how a freak wave washed three picnickers into the ocean, killing two and leading to a frantic rescue operation to save their companion.

Two women are dead and another has been rushed to hospital after the trio was swept off rocks by a freak wave along Sydney’s coastline on Monday afternoon, with the frantic attempt to save the victims’ lives captured on film.

Police said the three women were sucked into the sea after being swept from the rock face near Cape Solander – one of the city’s best spots for whale watching – in Kurnell about 4.30pm.

One of them managed to get back to shore, but the others were pulled from the water while unconscious by police.

Emergency crews worked desperately to give them CPR, but they were unable to be revived and pronounced dead at the scene.

Paramedics fought to save the life of one woman pulled from the water, but were unsuccessful. Picture: TNV

The third woman was taken to St George Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Two bystanders, who helped police and paramedics with the rescue, were treated for hypothermia.

NSW Police have pieced together the final moments that led to the tragedy on Monday afternoon.

Superintendent Joe McNulty said the women were in a group of five picnicking in the Botany Bay National Park before they walked along a rock platform near the water’s edge.

“The five people were walking along that rock platform, that rock platform was fully exposed,” Superintendent McNulty said on the Today Show on Tuesday morning.

“It was at low tide and they were close to the water’s edge, so it was a very slippery rock platform, probably a dangerous rock platform to be walking across.”

The superintendent said “a freak wave” rolled through and knocked three of the women off their feet.

Superintendent Joe McNulty Commander Marine area Command. Picture: Adam Yip

“We still have the ocean swells running quite hard at the present, and a freak wave came up, knocking three of the women off their feet and into the water.”

Mr McNulty said one of the ladies was saved but officers located two of the deceased women shortly after.

“One of those females was successfully recovered by the group there. And she’s alive and well in Saint George Hospital,” he said.

“The other two floated out to sea, and a very short time later, a police helicopter was in the vicinity spotted those two people and a police boat was directed into that location.”

The superintendent said, “never turn your back on the ocean.”

“When you’re on the rock platforms, never turn your back on the sea, no matter what activity you’re doing,” he said.

“It’s the golden rule, don’t turn your back on the ocean.”

Video footage from the scene showed a man covered in blood being assisted by police on the rocks as a police helicopter flew above them.

He was wrapped in a silver foil blanket and was seen hugging other people at the scene.

A witness said crowds were watching for whales, when onlookers with binoculars were asked by Parks and Wildlife rangers to watch out for the women.

A third woman is in hospital after managing to surface on shore. Picture: TNV

The bystander said there were massive crowds watching as whales migrate north for winter.

Three rescue helicopters were searching for the duo before ambulances arrived.

NSW Police said the two women were eventually located with assistance from PolAir helicopters.

Around 10 family members of the deceased arrived at Kamay Botany Bay National Park entrance at around 7pm, only to find it had been closed off earlier, restricting all public access.

Bystanders who helped with the rescue were treated for hypothermia. Picture: TNV

Authorities would not allow them into the park.

They appeared visibly shaken, with several people on the phone, presumably contacting loved ones and looking for answers.

They told The Daily Telegraph they were still awaiting confirmation about what happened at the rocks, unaware of the death of the two women.

The blood-covered man was seen embracing others at the scene. Picture: TNV

The area is a notoriously dangerous spot.

The rock face is a popular among rockfishers, and two men were killed after they were washed off the rocks in the same area just weeks ago.

Their bodies were pulled from the water a short time later and they were unable to be revived.

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