Port Kembla: Three dead after being swept into surf near Hill 60

Three men fishing off a rock platform near Wollongong have died after an enormous wave swept them into rough swell. Just one of them was wearing a life jacket.

Only one of three fishermen who drowned after being swept off a rock platform south of Sydney on Friday night was wearing a life jacket.

Emergency services rushed to the popular rock fishing spot at Hill 60 in Port Kembla about 10pm on Friday after reports large waves had swept multiple people into the water.

Five men were swept off the rocks but two managed to clamber back to safety.

Three men, 45-year-old Tiuli Misipati and 49-year-old Tauasa Taugaele from Green Valley in Sydney’s south west, and 69-year-old Joo Sung Jung from Campsie, drowned.

A massive search was launched after five people were swept off rocks. Three people were confirmed dead at the scene. Picture: David Swift

Lake Illawarra Police Acting Commander Gordon Dunlop said the men in their 40s were related but did not know the 69-year-old.

“It is a large outcrop of rock platform and unfortunately every now and then we do have incidents where large waves encroach upon the platform and wash across,” he said on Saturday.

“The swell was there and the waves were coming across but every now and again a larger wave would hit the platform.

“I believe five men went into the water.

“Two made it to land safely and unfortunately the three gentlemen were located deceased.”

Mr Dunlop said only the 69-year-old man was wearing a life jacket.

Surf Life Saving jet skis were out early this morning as part of the search. Picture: David Swift

Relatives at the scene identified Mr Misipati and Mr Taugaele while police identified Mr Jung through his car parked nearby and notified his wife.

Two NSW Ambulance helicopters were on scene last night and winched two of the dead fishermen from the water.

“It was very chaotic and the police did a great job,” NSW Ambulance Inspector Norm Rees said.

“If you can imagine when we pulled up, there was something like 10 or 11 cars. The police identified all the fishermen on the rocks, got them to come back to the cars, went through their checklist and moved them out of the area.

“So we were only dealing with the patients and their families.

“They were very distressed as you would appreciate.”

Three rock fishermen have died after being swept into sea at Port Kembla. Picture: David Swift

Witnesses at the scene on Friday night as emergency crews. Picture: TNV

Surf Life Savers on jet skis and a rescue helicopter have been searching the water around Hill 60 this morning for the fishermens’ property.

With temperatures set to soar over the next four days, Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive officer Steven Pearce implored fishermen to wear life jackets and monitor the conditions.

It had already been a busy lead up to the Australia Day public holiday.

“This has been such a horrendous and tragic incident last night,” he told reporters at Port Kembla.

“Three people have lost their lives and we are still searching for one another person who was swept off a breakwall near Coffs Harbour yesterday and had a near drowning at Wattamolla. “

Inspector Norm Rees from NSW Ambulance addressing the media at the scene of the drowning. Picture: David Swift

Officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, the Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, rescue helicopters and local lifeguards were involved in the operation.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Lake Illawarra police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.