Woman drowns, man missing after three swept off rocks in Gippsland
A woman has died after being swept off rocks at San Remo, near Phillip Island, on Friday morning while a 41-year-old man remains unaccounted for, police say.
Officers were called to the isolated Punchbowl Rocks beach, a five-minute drive from the town centre, at 8.30am.
Authorities are still searching for a man swept off the rocks at the beach near San Remo.Credit: Nine News
Police said two women and a man had been washed off rocks and were in the water.
“One of the women managed to make her way back to shore but the other woman and the man were unable to,” police said in a statement.
An ambulance helicopter near where the three people were washed into the water on Friday.Credit: Nine News
“A search of the water was conducted with the air wing locating an unresponsive woman in the water.
“She was brought back to shore but could not be revived.
The search for the man was suspended on Friday night, to resume on Saturday morning.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed one person had been taken to Wonthaggi Hospital, but did not mention their gender or condition.
Life Saving Victoria confirmed to The Age it was undertaking a “co-ordinated search involving Life Saving Victoria’s Rescue Water Craft, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and Cape Woolamai SLSC [Surf Life Saving Club] volunteers”.
Police and State Emergency Services vehicles at the scene.Credit: Nine News
“Life Saving Victoria extends its condolences to those affected and urges caution around coastal rock platforms, where conditions can be unpredictable and dangerous,” a spokesperson said.
Premier Jacinta Allan, who heard the news while attending the Good Friday Appeal, said the tragedy was an “awful start” to the holiday period.
“My thoughts are with the family of someone who has lost their life in such tragic circumstances, and potentially there is more difficult news to come,” she said.
“We are having a very warm Easter weekend. It’s a timely reminder about being safe around all waterways.”
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