’Absolutely heartbreaking’: Two dead after three swept off rocks - NEWS.com.au

The two men who drowned in an “absolutely heartbreaking” incident where three people were swept off the rocks at Port Kembla were believed to have been known to each other.

Lake Illawarra Police District Commander Superintendent Dean Smith said the deceased men, of South Asian origin, may have travelled to the well-known fishing spot separately.

“It’s important we acknowledge that rock fishing is at times dangerous,” he said.

“People need to be aware of the conditions, make sure they have the appropriate safety equipment with that and accept a level of personal responsibility about where they put themselves and how they go fishing.”

Police, paramedics, surf lifesavers and the Toll helicopter crew began searching for the three men at Hill 60 near Fisherman's Beach after being alerted to the incident just before 7pm on Friday.

Two of the men were taken back to shore about 7.30pm – one by a surf lifesaving crew on an inflatable rescue board and the other rescued by a Highway Patrol officer who had a flotation device.

One of the men, a 30-year-old man from Lakemba, died on the beach despite efforts to resuscitate him.

The police officer and the 42-year-old man from Wiley Park were uninjured.

About the same time, the Toll chopper crew winched the third man from the sea.

He was taken to Wollongong Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later and is yet to be formally identified.

Two police officers who were spotting for the helicopter, keeping an eye on the male, also sustained minor injuries.

NSW Police said all three men weren’t wearing life jackets.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Inspector Smith said police would work with the council and surf life savers to continue putting out the messages about the dangers of rock fishing.

He said safety devices were already in place, signage was up and regular patrols of the area were conducted.

“We will continue to work with our partner agencies around the messaging and safety, and also the dangers that are associated with rock fishing,” Inspector Smith said.

“It’s about education and being present where we can be. The reality is emergency services cannot be everywhere all the time.

“We want people to be aware of the danger and the environment they’re going to.”

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said there was a dangerous swell around four feet while the rescue was underway.

He stressed the importance of wearing life jackets and having protective equipment and said there had been up to 30 coastal drownings in 2021 with 10 of them being rock fisherman.

“Having five drowning fatalities all related to rock fishing in the one location is just the catalyst that we need to do more into culturally and linguistically diverse communications to try and get this messaging through in regards to the dangers of rock fishing,” Mr Pearce said.

“It is terribly frustrating but we also have to be cognisant that it is a terrible tragedy for the family and friends and also the first responders.

“We shouldn’t have to be put in these situations all the time.”

He said fishing at Hill 60 was not any more dangerous than any other rock platform but was a popular spot.

“If you need to go rock fishing in conditions that are deemed dangerous without the personal protective gear, then that is the risk you take personally.

“You have to remember that the risk you take personally is the risk you then impose on first responders who save your life.”

NSW Ambulance Inspector Norm Rees said surf living savers, bystanders and the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter went “above and beyond” to help.

“No words can describe the chaotic scene that paramedic crew and other first responders we were faced with,” he said.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking to respond to a scene where previous lives have been lost despite the warnings.

“Please take all safety precautions when taking part in activities around water. Emergency service personnel put their lives at risk to save the patients.”

This is not the first incident that has happened at the same rock platform.

Three men died on January 22 after they were also swept into the sea while fishing.

At the time, NSW Police Acting Superintendent Gordon Dunlop said it is not out of the ordinary to have large waves encroach on the rocky platform.

“There was a large group of people on the rock enjoying their time fishing … a large wave did go across the rock and they lost their lives” he said in January.

“We are speaking with the families and we share their grief.”

Anyone with vision of the incident or any information is asked to contact Lake Illawarra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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2021-02-12 23:14:40Z
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