Extra lifesavers called in as three drown off beaches in four weeks

Surf lifesavers have been brought to help patrol a deadly stretch of coastline after three drownings in under a month.

Following a spate of drowning along a notorious stretch of coastline extra surf lifesavers are being brought in to help patrol the area.

The Stockton sand dunes coastline north of Newcastle, spans 20 km and includes Birubi Beach, where two people drowned in under two weeks, and Stockton Beach where a man disappeared in late November.

Surf Life Saving NSW duty officer Glen Dunkley told the ABC it had been a horror start to the summer.

Two people have drowned at Birubi Beach in under a week. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve been doing this for around 27 years now and I don’t think I can remember clearly as many drownings back to back,” he said.

“We’re certainly always busy at this time of year, but I certainly haven’t seen it this deadly.”

Mr Dunkley said extra lifesavers were coming up from Sydney to lend a hand in the area, known for its strong currents and sudden drop offs, following the drownings which had taken a toll on local lifesavers.

“We’ve got additional teams coming in from Sydney today that will assist,” he said.

“The load on our volunteers is massive, both physically, but also mentally when these things happen.

“Our members are people that are enjoying Christmas with their families and then you get a call to go and do those sorts of things, it’s not pleasant.”

Mr Dunkley said it is not up to lifesavers alone to keep people safe, with swimmers needing to be mindful and sensible when in the water.

A search was underway after a male swimmer disappeared while in the water off Stockton Beach on November 26. Picture: Facebook

A search was underway after a male swimmer disappeared while in the water off Stockton Beach on November 26. Picture: Facebook page

“It does become a point of personal responsibility, people need to understand their capability and need to understand what they can do in the water and what they can’t do in the water,” he said.

“The message from me is, if you can’t swim or you’re not confident in the water, just don’t go in or go to a patrol area and talk to the lifeguards and lifesavers about what the best option is.”

According to Royal Life Saving Australia, there have been 23 drownings since December 1.