Boy, 9, state’s sixth fatality after tragic holiday incident at South West Rocks

A boy who died after becoming trapped in rocks has become the latest fatality in what Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce has called “the worst Easter long weekend in our records”, bringing the statewide death toll to six.

A boy who died after becoming trapped in rocks has become the latest fatality in what Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce has called “the worst Easter long weekend in our records”, bringing the statewide death toll to six.

NSW Ambulance responded to a call just before 3.30pm on Sunday that a nine-year-old boy became trapped in the water between rocks off the shoreline at South West Rocks.

Police and other emergency services including NSW Fire and Rescue and Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS NSW) attended and worked to try and extricate the boy from the rocks, however, he tragically died at the scene.

A nine-year-old boy died after becoming trapped in the rocks at South West Rocks. Picture: Richard Dobson

It is understood he died from internal injuries sustained while trapped in the crevice but an official probe into the fatality is under way.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

People continue to swim despite dangerous surf conditions at Whale Beach on April 19.

SLS NSW General Manager Brent Manieri said the nine-year-old boy had died “due to injuries sustained in becoming trapped in the crevice”.

“This level of tragedy is truly horrific,” he said.

Mr Manieri said the combination of good weather on the long weekend and the low pressure system from the cyclone off New Zealand creating large swells had “lent itself to the outcome that we’ve seen”.

SLS NSW CEO Steve Pearce said it was “the worst Easter long weekend drowning toll in our records” with five drownings from people being washed off the rocks.

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

“We’re asking people to avoid the rock platforms all together, particularly where the swell has not abated yet, and rock fishers to wear a lifejacket.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is for the public to be aware of the surf conditions when visiting the coastline and to not place themselves in a position of unnecessary risk,” he said.

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

As of Easter Monday there have been a total of five drownings across the state and one in Victoria.

Two people were fishing off rocks at Wattamolla in the Royal National Park when they were swept into the water about 11am on Sunday.

Sutherland Shire Police, Polair, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and the pair were winched from the water.

One man was unable to be revived and died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

Beach goers enjoy the sun at Bronte as warm weather continues to affect the east coast of NSW nearly 2 months into autumn. NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

A 14-year-old boy was taken to the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick where he remains in a stable condition.

On Saturday morning, the body of a rock fisherman was found at Kianinny Bay near the Kangarutha Walking Track.

Police have launched an investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Beach goers enjoy the sun at Bronte as warm weather continues nearly 2 months into autumn. NewsWire / Simon Bullard.

On Friday afternoon, a man drowned at City Rock Road, Green Cape on the South Coast.

Police say he had been fishing before being washed off the rocks. A short time later, his body was recovered.

Another fisherman died earlier on Friday after being swept off a rock wall at Endeavour Dr at the Wollongong Harbour about 6.15am. He was pulled from the water unconscious.

Despite resuscitation attempts from police, the 58-year-old man could not revived and he died at the scene.

People continue to swim despite dangerous surf conditions at Whale Beach, NSW.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

That morning, another person drowned at Middle Head in Mosman.

Emergency services were called to Middle Head Point at 10.20am following reports of a concern for the welfare of a man in the water.

Police, with assistance from Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance paramedics and Marine Area Command, attempted to locate the man.

A short time later, a body was found in the water.

Coogee Beach swell on Good Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the man.

The NSW fatalities happened as three people were swept out to sea in Victoria on Friday.

Emergency services were called to a beach off Punch Bowl Road in San Remo, in Victoria’s south, after the trio were swept out the sea.

“One of the women managed to make her way back to shore but the other woman and the man were unable to,” Victoria Police said.

The Air Wing conducted a helicopter search for the two missing people and discovered an unresponsive woman in the waves.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the coast of NSW. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

She was pulled from the water and brought back to shore, but could not be revived.

A search is currently underway for another person missing off Little Bay.

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Originally published as Boy, 9, state’s sixth fatality after tragic holiday incident at South West Rocks