Gold Coast royal lifesaver rushed to hospital following IRB crash as wild surf closes beaches on Good Friday

WOMAN rushed to hospital with potential neck and back injuries after a Royal Life Saving rescue boat crashes into rocks in wild surf at Burleigh. SEE THE FULL LIST OF BEACHES CLOSED

Gold Coast Lifeguards have closed many Gold Coat beaches as rough conditions batter the coastline during the Easter long weekend.

A WOMAN has been rushed to hospital with potential neck and back injuries after crashing a rescue boat in wild surf off Tallebudgera Creek.

Emergency services and lifesavers were called to help the Neptune Royal Life Saving Club lifesaver at about 12.30pm following an incident near the creekmouth.

Gold Coast lifesaving duty officer Scott Burgess said the boat was washed onto rocks at Burleigh.

The rescue boat washed up on rocks at Burleigh Head. Pic: 7 News Gold Coast.

The injured woman was retrieved from the water and taken to hospital from Burleigh Heads in a stable condition, according to paramedics.

At about the same time two people were rescued from the surf at Bilinga in an unrelated incident, Mr Burgess said.

This morning a 40-year-old man was swimming outside of the flags at Northcliffe beach was rescued by lifeguards when he became stuck in the rip.

The outboard motor was retrieved. Pic: 7 News Gold Coast.

Nine beaches across the Gold Coast are closed today with all beachgoers urged to stay out of the water as dangerous conditions are expected to remain throughout the day and into the weekend.

Chief Lifeguard Warren Young has advised beachgoers to take extra precautions and seek the advice of City lifeguards and lifesavers.

EASTER AND COMMONWEALTH GAMES WEATHER FORECAST

Rough conditions have closed many beaches on the Gold Coast.

Dangerous rips along the beaches combined with tidal surges and 2m easterly swells are creating unstable inshore conditions.

“Some beaches, particularly in the north, may have to open a little later on Friday and Saturday mornings due to tidal surges and individual beaches may be closed as conditions dictate,” Mr Young said.

“There are dangerous rips along our beaches at present and people are advised not to take any risks.”

#CLOSED A number of #GoldCoast beaches are closed due to dangerous surf, including Mermaid Beach, Miami Beach, Nobbys Beach, North Burleigh, Rainbow Bay, Surfers Paradise, Tallebudgera & Tugun 🚫🏊‍♀️ Do not enter the water at these locations - always #swimbetweentheflags. pic.twitter.com/wkg0H5dP7i

— Surf Life Saving QLD (@lifesavingqld) March 29, 2018

ROADS TO AVOID ON THE GOLD COAST ON GOOD FRIDAY

He said the outgoing tide towards early afternoon along the open beaches and the estuaries at Tallebudgera and Currumbin will cause strong currents to run out to sea.

“We hope to see the conditions settle over the weekend but we advise people to take care swim only between the flags and never swim after hours.”

“And remember to always seek the advice of lifeguards and lifesavers.”

Full list of beaches currently closed on the Gold Coast:

• Mermaid Beach
• Main Beach
• Nobby Beach
• North Burleigh
• Rainbow Bay
• Surfers Paradise
• Tallebudgera
• Tugun
• Kirra
• Bilinga

Lifeguards and Lifesavers are encouraging people to exercise caution in the areas that remain open, swim between the flags, stay close to shore and heed directions from our experienced personnel.