By Angus Thompson
A snorkeler has become the state’s sixth coastal fatality this week after being pulled from the water at North Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches by lifeguards on Monday afternoon.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the man, 30, had been reported missing about 3pm before Northern Beaches Council lifeguards found him and brought him ashore. They began CPR but the man died at the scene.
A man died at North Narrabeen Beach on Monday. Emergency services are expecting a busy Australia Day on Tuesday as temperatures continue to rise.Credit: Nine News
He said the man was the sixth coastal drowning fatality in NSW in the past seven days, with the volunteer organisation expecting another frenetic day as people prepare to flock to the beach on Australia Day.
“If you look at temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s, the northerly swell, the people cooped up due to COVID-19 over the last 12 months, coupled with the fact there’s going to be so much alcohol consumption, this presents a high-risk environment right along the coast tomorrow,” he said.
There have been 27 drowning fatalities along the coast since July 1, surpassing the 26 coastal fatalities this time last year.
Mr Pearce said Sunday was a record day for the state’s lifesavers, who performed 250 rescues, administered 1500 first-aid treatments, and more than 15,000 actions preventing people putting themselves in danger.
“Statistically, it’s been enormous,” Mr Pearce said.
He said that over the past 15 years, an average of one person has drowned along the coast every Australia Day.
Three people died after being swept off the rocks at Port Kembla, south of Wollongong, late last week.
A man died when he was swept off a breakwall at Coffs Harbour last week, and Surry Hills mother Leonie Jackson died saving her son from a rip at Congo Beach on the South Coast.
Earlier on Monday, a teenage boy was flown to hospital in a critical condition after he was pulled unconscious from the Hawkesbury River.
Bystanders began CPR on the 16-year-old and tried to resuscitate him for up to 40 minutes after he rescued from the water near Tizzana Road in Sackville, in Sydney’s north-west, just after midday.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Nathan Sheraton said the good Samaritans did an “extraordinary job” under difficult circumstance in trying to revive the boy before paramedics arrived.
“It was a devastating scene for all involved this afternoon,” he said.
He urged people to be mindful of where they were swimming and to understand their limits over the next few days as people flock to the water to escape the extreme heat.
“We want everyone to have fun but please look out for each other,” Mr Sheraton said.
Three crews and the CareFlight specialist medical team were sent to the area and the boy was flown by helicopter to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.
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