An Irish man has been found dead at Whitehaven beach in Queensland, one of four fatalities in separate incidents on Australia’s east coast over the New Year period. Emergency services were called to the popular beach near the Great Barrier Reef at about 11am on Wednesday, where the 35-year-old man was found dead in the water. Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
In Sydney, a 25-year-old woman died after being swept into the ocean at Maroubra beach in the early hours of New Year’s Day. She was hit by a wave, knocked into a tidal rock pool, and then swept out to sea. Her body was found at about 5am following a search. Later that day, a 45-year-old woman died at Dunbogan beach near Port Macquarie after struggling in the water.
A search is under way for a missing swimmer at Coogee beach, believed to be a man in his 20s. Four people were swimming when they were swept out by a large rip current. Three were rescued, but one failed to return. An off-duty police officer and two off-duty surf life-savers provided assistance. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for much of the New South Wales coast, advising against coastal activities.
The incidents follow the death of a man on New Year’s Eve after a dinghy capsized at Palm beach in Sydney. Two men and a 14-year-old boy were aboard when the vessel overturned near Barrenjoey headland. One man died at the scene; the other was rescued. A search for the missing boy continues. Surf Life Saving NSW described the past 24 hours as a horrific period for drownings.
