Foreign national man’s body found after he went missing at Bents Basin swimming spot

A man who disappeared underwater at a popular western Sydney swimming hole this morning, has been found dead. The group of men were spotted struggling in the water and were rescued by vigilant bystanders.

A man who disappeared underwater at a popular western Sydney swimming hole this morning has been found dead.

Emergency services raced to Bents Basin south of Penrith just after midday following reports that a group of men were struggling in the water.

Three men aged in their 20s were rescued by vigilant bystanders, but one 25-year-old man could not be found.

A search was conducted with the assistance of police divers, Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and NSW SES. Just after 1pm, the body of the man, believed to be a Neaplese National, was found.

A foreign national man has gone missing at Bents Basin in Greendale. Picture: John Fotiadis

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One eyewitness, who only wished to be identified as Brad, 32, said that he was swimming with his family when he heard screams from the other side of the basin.

“We were swimming and suddenly we heard all this screaming,” he said.

“We swam over and they said someone’s drowned. “Rangers then got on the PA and said “everyone out.”

Brad said that there were hundreds of people in the water at the time, as temperatures of around 38C in the area drove people towards the area.

“I would have estimated around 150-200 people,” he said. “There was a big scramble to get everyone out.”

Bents Basin is a popular swimming spot, especially in this hot weather. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Bents Basin Road, Wallacia, and Bents Basin has been closed to the public.

Another 25-year-old man, Mohamed Amine Hamza, drowned at Bents Basin in December 2016 after disappearing while swimming with friends.

Two men also drowned at the notorious western Sydney swimming hole in similar circumstances back in 2010.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.