Two drown on NSW beaches on horror Christmas Day 2023

Authorities have issued a stark warning to swimmers after two people drowned at Central Coast beaches in separate incidents on Christmas Day. A third man remains missing since Christmas Eve.

Umina Beach on the Central Coast, NSW, where a man drowned on Christmas Day.

Two people died on NSW beaches on Christmas Day and a search for a missing swimmer was suspended.

A man was pulled from the water at Copacabana Beach on the Central Coast about 5pm.

Volunteer surf lifesavers and paramedics tried to save him, but he was declared dead at the scene.

It is understood the man suffered a medical episode while enjoying the day at the beach with his family.

Earlier, a surfer was pulled from the water outside of the red and yellow flags at Umina Beach, also on the NSW Central Coast, about 11am.

A man died at Copacabana Beach on Christmas Day. Picture: Supplied

Surf lifesavers and paramedics performed CPR on him, but he too died at the scene.

The Christmas Day deaths followed reports of a man going missing at Main Beach at Lennox Head south of Byron Bay a day earlier.

Emergency crews received a call about 3:20pm on Christmas Eve.

Police began a search at Lennox Head, which continued on Christmas Day, but were unable to find him. The search is resumed Tuesday.

Main Beach Lennox Head. Picture: Cath Piltz

In a fourth incident, a man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after being pulled from the water at Culburra Beach near Nowra on Christmas Eve.

In the lead-up to the holidays, Royal Life Saving boss Justin Scarr said the week ­between Christmas and January 2 was the deadliest period for drowning deaths.

“The summer holidays are the time when we all like to catch up with friends and family, relax and unwind, but sadly it’s also the peak period for drowning,” Mr Scarr said.

All four incidents follow NSW recording a horror summer of drownings last season, with 28 people drowning in waters off the state’s coastline — the highest number ever recorded.