Desperate search for man missing off notorious Gunnamatta Ocean Beach
A father risked his life to save his two sons at a notoriously dangerous Mornington Peninsula beach, but one remains missing in the water.
Victoria
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The search for a young man who went missing in rough surf at a notorious Mornington Peninsula beach will continue for a third day after his father was unable to save him.
The father was watching from the sand when his two sons, aged 16 and 20, got into trouble in the water about 50m from shore at Gunnamatta Ocean Beach at 6.45pm on Friday.
The man, who was holidaying with his family from North Melbourne, swam out to help his sons before he began struggling himself.
Surf Lifesaving volunteers and locals helped the father and his youngest son to shore but could not find the other.
It is believed that a Surf Lifesaving helicopter spotted the man on Friday evening but lost sight of him as the light faded.
The father, aged in his 40s, and his younger son were taken to Frankston Hospital on Friday night.
“The 16-year-old was released, but the father had to remain in hospital, given the amount of water he’d ingested,” Victoria Police Acting Inspector Ian Pregnell said on Saturday.
Emergency services, including water police and the air wing, resumed the search on Saturday morning, scouring the coast from Rye Ocean Beach to Cape Schanck.
Green dye was dropped into the water to assist emergency services in tracking currents.
Acting Inspector Pregnell said the family was “devastated” but favourable conditions had allowed the search to continue into the evening.
The beach is known for its strong rips and dangerous conditions, and lifesavers carry out more than 110 rescues every year.
The Surf Life Saving Australia’s Beach Safe website warns that the beach usually has “high waves and strong rips close to shore” and says it is a “very hazardous beach”.
Mornington Peninsula local Dean Elkund surfs at Gunnamatta regularly and said conditions were especially rough on Friday.
“You could get swept miles out and no one can see you,” he said.
“It is a beautiful beach, but all you need to do is step two metres off that shoreline and the undertow is something you’ve never experienced before.”
Acting Inspector Ian Pregnell said beachgoers should steer clear of the water if they were not confident swimmers.
“Especially ocean beaches like this, the conditions can change quite quickly,” he said. “So always swim between the flags and at patrolled beaches. Don’t go in alone.”
Beachgoers were allowed to return to Gunnamatta Ocean Beach on Saturday afternoon after it was closed during the morning.
The search will continue on Sunday.
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