A young woman has tragically died after being swept into the ocean from a popular Sydney beach in the early hours of New Year's Day, as emergency services launched a second search for a missing swimmer.
Early Morning Tragedy at Maroubra
Emergency services were called to Maroubra Beach at approximately 4am on Thursday, 1st January, following reports that a person had been swept out to sea. New South Wales Police stated that a 25-year-old woman was hit by a wave near a tidal rock pool, which knocked her over before subsequent waves pulled her out into the ocean.
A coordinated search operation involving police, including the air wing, and NSW Ambulance personnel was immediately launched. Tragically, the body of a woman was located at around 5am. While formal identification procedures were still pending, police confirmed they believed the body to be that of the missing woman.
Second Swimmer Missing at Coogee
In a separate and ongoing incident, a search was underway on Thursday morning for another swimmer believed to be missing at Coogee Beach. Emergency services were alerted just after 6am to reports of a man, thought to be in his 20s, in difficulty in the water.
Police, ambulance officers, surf lifesavers, and council officers all joined the extensive search effort along the coastline.
Authorities Issue Urgent Hazardous Surf Warning
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for a vast stretch of the NSW coast, from Byron Bay down to the Illawarra region. The bureau advised that surf and swell conditions on Thursday were expected to be dangerous for coastal activities including rock fishing, boating, and swimming.
The Police Marine Area Command urged the public to exercise extreme caution. Their warnings included:
- Considering staying out of the water entirely.
- Avoiding walks near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid exposed coastal platforms and seek sheltered locations.
- Boaters should reconsider crossing shallow waters and ocean bars, and always carry appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
These tragic events at the start of the new year have served as a stark reminder of the powerful and unpredictable nature of the ocean, prompting authorities to reiterate critical safety messages to the public.
