By Daniel Lo Surdo and Josefine Ganko
Three people have drowned, and a fourth person is missing as monster swells rising to four metres battered the NSW coastline, marking a tragic start to the Easter long weekend.
Beaches across Sydney, including Bondi, Bronte, Coogee and Manly were closed to swimmers amid growing concerns about dangerous swimming conditions for an unseasonably warm long weekend.
Big swell at Thirroul beach near Wollongong.Credit: Nick Moir
A body was located in the harbour off Middle Head Point in Mosman, after emergency services were called to assist a man in the water around 10.20am. Police believe the man was standing on rocks at the harbour’s edge when he fell into the water.
Earlier on Friday, a 58-year-old fisherman died after being swept into the water in Wollongong Harbour overnight. Police believe the man was fishing on a rock wall nearby when he was swept into the water.
In Sydney’s eastern suburbs, a multi-agency search operation commenced around 1pm following reports of a man struggling in the water off Little Bay Beach. As night fell, the search for the 24-year-old was called off, with efforts set to resume at daybreak on Saturday.
Shortly after 3pm, the third fatality of the day was confirmed, after a fisherman was washed off the rocks near Eden on NSW’s South Coast.
A PolAir helicopter searched the waters near Little Bay.Credit: Nine News
Hazardous swell warnings were issued for all NSW beaches by the Bureau of Meteorology. Police advised beachgoers to consider staying out of the water and avoid walking close to surf-exposed areas.
BoM meteorologist Jiwon Park observed waves as high as five metres hitting the NSW north coast on Thursday night. Swells reaching four metres were rolling into Sydney on Friday morning.
Park forecast hazardous conditions to last until Saturday, when a deep low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea following from ex-tropical cyclone Tam moves towards New Zealand.
“These waves are very large and powerful,” Park said. “Any beaches exposed to the south or south-east direction will be vulnerable for large swells, and there may also be potential for beach erosion as waves are simply too powerful.”
The extreme swell created a headache for lifeguards and rescue services tasked with ensuring the safety of beachgoers, who are expected to flock to the shoreline en masse as Sydney reaches highs of 29 degrees this weekend.
Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed at least five successful rescues were made throughout the day, including a toddler who was submerged by a wave at Redhead Beach in the Hunter.
“Every drowning is a tragedy, and this is an absolutely tragic start to the Easter long weekend,” Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
In a social media post, NSW Police warned there had been several near misses.
“Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing … Check local weather and if in doubt don’t go!”
Weatherzone meteorologist Corine Brown found that some of the largest waves might develop in popular tourist destinations such as the Ulladulla and Nelson Bay areas. Sydney was unlikely to see the worst of the swell, she said.
“It should ease away from the coast through to tomorrow, late tonight, as that low or ex-tropical cyclone heads further east,” Brown said.
A cold front is expected to bring cooler and wet conditions for Sydney from Monday, which is forecast to last until Tuesday or Wednesday and to present a thunderstorm risk.
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