Urgent search for person reported missing off Cronulla as Coogee Beach smashed by monster waves

An urgent search is underway after reports of a person missing in waters off a popular beach, as crowds gather to watch a monster swell smashing the city.

An urgent search is underway after reports of a person missing in waters off a popular Sydney beach after large swathes of the city’s coast were closed due to hazardous surf.

Emergency services were called to the Esplanade at Cronulla, in the Blackwood Beach area, about 3.40pm on Friday after reports of a person missing in the water.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed four cars remained at the scene and that the search was still underway shortly before 4.30pm.

The Westpac rescue helicopter was seen on flight tracking website circling the busy beach, with NSW Police confirming they were also aware of the incident.

A desperate search is underway near Cronulla

People gathered to watch large swell at Coogee Beach on Good Friday.. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The beach had been closed to the public with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a hazardous surf warning for the coast of NSW. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

It comes after several popular Sydney beaches were closed over dangerous surf conditions on Friday, with a huge crowd of people seen gathering at one iconic swim spot to watch large and wild waves smashing the shore andleaving one person seriously injured.

Coogee Beach has been closed to swimmers, the Randwick City Council website confirmed.

Footage of the wild scenes showed beachgoers sitting at the shore as enormous waves crashed in.

A sign reading ‘beach closed” stood in front of the beach.

But it didn’t stop daredevil surfers from getting in on the action, who could be seen riding and crashing into the massive waves as lashings of sea foam splashed over Wedding Cake Island.

“It’s a Good Friday for the crazy surfers!” one spectator wrote online.

Other beaches currently closed in the area include Bondi Beach, Bronte Beach and Tamarama Beach.

All beaches spanning the Randwick locality have been closed due to “extremely dangerous conditions”, a spokesman told NewsWire.

This includes Clovelly, Maroubra, Malabar and Little Bay Beaches.

“Enter from beach only,” the Randwick City Council said in a closure notice for Clovelly. “Not a day to learn to swim.”

Those wanting a dip at Maroubra were warned: “Lifeguards will be removing anyone who attempts to enter the water today.”

The rough tide left one person with serious injuries about 9.20am Friday after being “washed onto the rocks by a large wave”, Randwick City Council Lifeguard Peter Halcro told NewsWire.

The person sustained a major laceration to their leg and was treated by lifeguards before being transported to Prince of Wales Hospital.

“Our strong advice to beachgoers is to stay out of the water and exercise extreme caution around the coastline – no surfing, swimming or rock fishing today,” Mr Halcro said.

“If you’re thinking of heading to a beach in the Randwick area over the next few days, please check the Randwick City Council website and beach cams for safety updates and follow the instructions of Lifeguards and volunteer life savers.”

The Bureau was warning of hazardous waves and a large swell. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The warning did not detour many beachgoers. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

It comes as thousands flock to Sydney’s beaches for the long-weekend. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a hazardous surf warning for the entire coast of NSW, spanning the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.

“Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in the following areas,” a bureau statement read.

Swimmers have been urged to stay away from the water until the hazardous conditions pass, and people have been advised to avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.

Surf Life Saving NSW issued a warning to beachgoers on Friday about the potentially hazardous waves and dangerous rips in the ocean over the long weekend.

“The volunteer patrol season ends in just a couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean we are taking an easy approach this weekend,” Surf Life Saving NSW chiefs executive officer Steve Pearce said.

“We strongly advise people to head to a patrolled location and, particularly this long weekend where a lot of people will be celebrating the Easter holiday, remember that drugs, alcohol and water do not mix.

“Our volunteers will be out in force over the next few days and our Rescue Services teams are conducting extra roving patrols using jetskis and drones, so we are really throwing everything we can at keeping people safe this weekend.”