Woman drowns at Clovelly Beach after surfer dies on South Coast

A woman has drowned at a popular Sydney beach this afternoon, hours after a surfer was pulled unconscious from the water on the state’s south coast.

A woman in her 40s drowned off Clovelly Beach in Sydney. Picture Gaye Gerard

A woman has died at a popular eastern suburbs beach, with the tragic scene unfolding in front of several beach goers this afternoon— hours after a surfer drowned on the NSW South Coast.

At around 1.40pm on Monday emergency services were called to Gordons Bay after an unconscious woman had been pulled from the water on the northern side of the bay, near Clovelly beach.

Police say the 47-year-old woman had been swimming in the water where she appeared to have suffered a medical episode.

A woman in her 40s drowned off Clovelly Beach in Sydney. Picture: Gaye Gerard

A witness told NCA Newswire that police arrived at the scene about 1:30pm.

“There was a commotion in a cave down that way and then the police arrived and they brought someone higher up on the rocks and we saw them doing CPR,” Ellie Shephard said.

A rescue helicopter was called to the scene. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Members of the public watched on as emergency services attempted CPR. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“I think they were doing CPR for like 15 minutes, 20 minutes and then they stopped after that and we were asked to come off the rocks.”

Despite paramedics’ best efforts to revive the woman at the scene, she could not be saved.

This comes just hours after a man lost his life at a popular south coast beach.

At around 10am on Monday, emergency services were called to Caves Beach, Jervis Bay following reports a surfer was pulled unresponsive from the water.

The 62-year-old man was brought to shore by surfers and swimmers, where NSW Ambulance paramedics performed CPR; however, despite their best efforts, he could not be revived.

Officers attached to the South Coast Police District and Australian Federal Police attended the scene.

Reports for the two deaths will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

It’s the second drowning on the south coast in just two weeks after off-duty police officer Peter Stone drowned while saving his teenage son from a rip at an unpatrolled beach on New Year’s Day.

About 1pm, emergency services were called to the beach after the 45-year-old father was pulled unconscious from the water by lifesavers.

Paramedics started CPR and tried to save his life, however Mr Stone was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was holidaying in the area with his family when his son got swept out. The beach was not patrolled by lifesavers at the time.