Urgent warning as millions head to New South Wales beaches during heatwave

Millions have made their way to the beach this week as a heatwave roasts much of Australia, prompting authorities to issue a desperate plea.

Millions have made their way to the beach this week as a heatwave roasts much of southern Australia, prompting authorities to issue a desperate plea.

Hundreds of people in New South Wales have been rescued in the past few days as several tragic incidents highlight the danger residents and emergency services are facing.

On Wednesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet urged those heading to the beach, pool or river to put water safety first – revealing more than 630 people had been rescued from the water since Christmas Day.

“Whilst it’s been great to see people across NSW flocking to the beach, the river or the pool these holidays, I urge everyone to continue to remain vigilant and stay safe in the water,” he said.

“We’ve seen a spike in the number of swimmers getting themselves into strife.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet issued a water safety warning at Coogee Beach Surf Club in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Speaking at Sydney‘s Coogee beach, Mr Perrottet said the holiday spike was worrying, given that 4000 rescues are performed annually across the state.

The summer festivities have been marred by a number of deadly incidents, with three deaths since December 25.

A 36-year-old man was pulled from the Hawkesbury River in Sydney’s northwest around 5.15pm on Christmas Day after he failed to resurface.

A NSW Police spokesman said he had been lunching with friends before he entered the water.

The 36-year-old man could not be resuscitated on Christmas Day, 2022. Picture: 9news

The death was the second tragedy to strike the area after a 16-year-old boy drowned just 10 days earlier while swimming.

On Tuesday, two girls aged 13 and 14, died after a boat crash in Rushes Creek, in the states’ north.

It is believed the pair were being towed on an inflatable when it struck a tree stump.

On Wednesday, a search resumed for a male swimmer who witnesses believe failed to resurface in the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Wagga the night before.

A search has resumed for a swimmer who reportedly did not resurface while in the Murrumbidgee River about 8.30pm yesterday.

The male was allegedly seen to submerge under the water and not resurface at Wagga Beach on Johnston Street, Wagga Wagga.https://t.co/5Xg3ST38Eo

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 27, 2022

Five lives have also been lost in Victoria and South Australia since Christmas Day.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the past year was the deadliest in record, with 55 lives lost.

We don’t want to see this repeated again,” he said.

“One drowning is one too many. We want everyone to safely enjoy our beaches and waterways, and we want everyone to remember their holiday for all the right reasons.”