Little Bay: Notorious rocks where father and son died in rock fishing incident

The death of a father and his young son at Little Bay Beach is, sadly, not an isolated incident. The area is notoriously dangerous.

The death of a father and son who drowned at Sydney’s popular Little Bay Beach have left the community reeling.

Described as one of “Sydney’s undiscovered jewels”, the secluded cove is protected from large ocean swells and boasts an active snorkelling scene and swimmers looking for an easy swim. Despite its idyllic reputation, the area is regarded as one of the most dangerous rock fishing spots in NSW. In 2020, Surf Life Saving Australia dubbed Little Bay and the surrounding coastline the single most dangerous rock fishing location in NSW.

Its popularity, however, remains unchallenged.

At about 3pm on Monday, emergency crews were called after a man in his 40s and nine-year-old child were swept into the water while rocking fishing. News.com.au understands they were not wearing life jackets.

Rescue Helicopters winched the boy from the water, however they were unable to resuscitate him. Picture: 7 News

While the child was winched from the water by a Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and the father rescued by a Randwick lifeguard jetski, CPR attempts made by paramedics were unsuccessful.

According to The Daily Telegraph, local spearfishermen said the pair were taken by a wave and pulled into the swell, before they began taking on water.

Witnesses also reported seeing a woman “screaming for help” after the man and child were swept away.

“Witnessed the incident and informed the emergency on site after hearing (the woman) screaming,” one local wrote in a local Facebook group. “So, so sad. Something that will stick with me for long, long time.”

Police were seen comforting a woman who was with the man and woman. Picture: Supplied

The thong believed to have belonged to the man was spotted on the rocks. Picture: News Corp Australia

Another beachgoer told news.com.au police were seen comforting the woman after the rescue operation.

“The whole beach (went) silent as they walked through. She could barely walk and (looked) like she (was in) in shock,” she said.

How the tragedy may have unfolded

With the Monday weather reporting sunny skies and temperatures nudging the 30s, there was no shortage of beachgoers flocking to Little Bay in the afternoon.

At the time of the tragedy, there had been no warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, with the ride reported to be low, with the swell “relatively calm,” said Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW president Stan Konstantaras.

Speaking to news.com.au, the keen fisherman who lives in the nearby suburb of Matraville said it was currently a popular time for anglers, with the waters populated with “big king fish, bonito, tailor all on the rock platforms”.

Issues can occur when inexperienced people take to the rocks and are unaware of the rules, which include the compulsory wearing of life jackets.

“Any rock platform, no matter where it is, if you fall in and can’t swim, you’re not going to be able to get back and you’re going to be in trouble,” he said.

“If you’re trying to deal with a child that’s really panicking, it’s even harder multiplied.”

Police, ambulances and rescue helicopters were spotted at the secluded beach on Monday afternoon. Picture: 7 News.

Depending on where the pair were fishing on the rocky outcrop, they could have been more significantly impacted by the 1.4 metre easterly swell which was hitting the area at an interval of 10 seconds, as reported by WillyWeather.

“If they were fishing right out on the point of Little Bay, it’s more exposed, whereas the rock platforms closer to the beach are a little bit more protected and don’t cop the full brunt of the swell,” said Mr Konstantaras.

“The platform is a 100 metres long. 60 metres of that is perfectly safe in those swells – it’s flat and perfectly calm but if you go out, you would be exposed to those fronts.”

18 emergencies in three years

Lured to the area by the abundant fish, Randwick City Council have recorded 18 rock fishing related fatalities in the LGA, which includes Little Bay.

While the council has declined to comment on the police matter, a spokesperson for Surf Life Saving New South Wales said lifesavers have responded to 18 emergency incidents at the Little Bay location in the last three years.

In 2015 a coronial inquest into nine rock fishing related deaths recommended life jackets be made mandatory for anglers. It was discovered the nine people who died were not wearing the flotation device.

From December 2016 Randwick City Council became the first NSW LGA to implement compulsory lifejacket laws for rock fishers, with on-the-spot fines of $100 introduced in June 2018. Since this, other councils including Ballina Shire, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Richmond Valley, Sutherland Shire and Northern Beaches have also opted into the legislation, says Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker.

In a statement to news.com.au, Mr Parker said the death of the father and son was “a terrible loss” and advocated for the wearing of life jackets among anglers.

“I was incredibly saddened to hear of the death of a rock fisher and his son and send my deepest sympathies to the family,” Mr Parker said.

“Wearing a lifejacket while rock fishing is one part of the rock fisher’s tool kit to stay safe. A lifejacket will significantly increase their chances of survival should they be washed into the water.”

The rocky outcrops north and south of the cove are a popular spot for anglers, with many fish in the waters during this time of the year. Picture: Damian Shaw

Although there are warning signs asking anglers to wear approved life jackets near prominent fishing spots at Little Bay, Mr Konstantaras admits compliance is an issue.

“People just usually walk past the with the warning signs without paying attention,” he said, adding education of the rules and rock fishing safety is also lacking.

“No one wants to go out and die. No one is really reluctant or opposing against rules around life jackets, it makes sense but no one takes the time to talk or educate them about what they should be doing,” Mr Konstantaras said.

“There’s no use having a law and not knowing about it.”