Ambulance crews fight to save woman after Byron Bay near-drowning

A woman has been flown to hospital in a critical condition after a near-drowning in Byron Bay this morning.

A WOMAN has been taken to hospital in a critical and unstable condition after a near-drowning in Byron Bay this morning.

The woman in her 50s was pulled from the water at 11.50am at Clarkes Beach, where paramedics performed CPR.

The Westpac helicopter arriving at Clarkes Beach in Byron Bay. Picture: Craig Parry

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Brunswick Valley Ambulance Inspector James Porter said the woman was swimming by herself when a passing man and woman spotted her unconscious in the waves.

“She was unresponsive and CPR was commenced by an off-duty nurse and a sea kayak inspector,” he said.

“That was continued until lifesavers and NSW Ambulance arrived. Resuscitation attempts were continued and paramedics managed to get the lady’s heart going again.

“There was a head injury but we don’t know the cause of it ... whether there was a medical event before hitting the sand bank. It’s a bit of an unknown at this stage.”

She has now been transported to Gold Coast University Hospital for further treatment.

Clarkes Beach is located at the southern end of Byron Bay, and is a popular spot despite being unpatrolled.

“It’s a very safe area with very small waves today,” Mr Porter said.