Rock fisherman latest to die in NSW drowning spate

A rock fisherman has died on Sunday after being swept away, the latest in a series of tragedies in the water off the NSW coast.

A 21-year-old rock fisherman has been swept off the rocks on a popular headland south of Sydney - becoming the latest to die in a series of drownings across NSW.

The hot weather has created the busiest period in five years for life savers who have rescued and resuscitated dozens of people.

Long-awaited sunny weather has seen crowds flock to the coast over the new year’s period but four people have now lost their lives in the water, NSW Police said on Sunday.

The 21-year-old fisherman was casting his line off Windang Island, near Warilla in the Shellharbour region, on Sunday morning when he was swept off the rocks.

The fisherman was seen distressed in the water and was not wearing a life jacket, NSW Police said in a statement.

His body was found an hour later and winched out of the water by the Toll Rescue Helicopter before Water Police took the dead man ashore.

Three others have died in recent days including a 15-year-old boy who lost his life in the Shoalhaven River in Burrier - just an hour south of Windang Island.

Windang Island, where a man was swpt to his death on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

Another rock fisherman died in similar circumstances at Turimetta Beach in Warriewood - in Sydney’s north - and an 18-year-old man died in the Murray River at Albury.

“These deaths are incredibly tragic. Our heart goes out to the loved ones of the people who recently lost their lives in the water,” Marine Area Commander Superintendent Murray Reynolds said.

“We’re asking the community to help us keep you safe, always assess the environment and take simple precautions to prevent tragedy.”

Police are asking for people to avoid the water if they cannot swim, always wear a lifejacket while rock fishing and swim only between the flags at patrolled beaches.

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, Steve Pearce said it was the busiest period in five years.

“The multiple rescues, resuscitations and fatalities we have seen this weekend are a tragic reminder that beach safety is of the utmost importance when you take a trip to the coastline,” he said.

“We are so fortunate to have fantastically skilled and resourced lifesavers and lifeguard services up and down our coastline. These men and women have definitely saved dozens of lives these last two days.”

Other incidents include two men who were rescued earlier on Sunday when their boat capsized in Maroubra and, in a separate near-miss, two jet skis rolled and threw their riders into the water near the NSW-Qld border.

A 42-year-old man who swam from a boat in a dam in Bathurst on Christmas Day remains missing despite extensive searches.