- Man missing from Coogee Beach
- Woman’s body discovered at Maroubra
An urgent search is underway at Coogee Beach after a young man vanished in the surf early on New Year’s Day, just hours after a woman was knocked into the ocean by a powerful wave and swept out to sea.
Emergency crews rushed to Coogee about 6am on Thursday after reports the swimmer, believed to be aged in his 20s, was in trouble in the water.
A police officer plunged into the surf fully clothed, clutching a flotation device to help other swimmers keep the man afloat.
However, the group was unable to bring the man to shore.
Paramedics are at Coogee Beach treating some onlookers for shock, with men and women seen hugging on the shoreline.
The drama unfolded only two hours after tragedy struck at nearby Maroubra Beach, less than three kilometres away.
Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a tidal rock pool and dragged her into the ocean.
Her body was recovered about an hour later during an extensive search involving PolAir helicopters and Marine Area Command.
A police officer is seen running into the giant swell at Coogee Beach
A helicopter is seen over the eastern suburbs coast after two tragedies unfolded overnight
Police officers are seen speaking to beach-goers at Coogee on Thursday
An urgent search has been launched for a man missing at Coogee Beach
The body is yet to be formally identified, but police believe it is the missing woman.
Authorities are urging Aussies to stay away from Sydney’s beaches on Thursday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.
Similar warnings are in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts, with treacherous conditions expected throughout New Year’s Day.
‘People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,’ the warning said.
Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.
Northern Beaches surf lifesaving co-ordinator Steve Downman said Sydney beaches were being pounded by ‘walls of white water’ and powerful waves.
‘Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,’ he told ABC Sydney Radio.
Revellers are seen at Coogee Beach, where a search is underway for a missing swimmer
A crowd gathered at Coogee as a search was launched for a man believed to be aged in his 20s
The Maroubra rock pool is pictured where a young woman was swept into the ocean is pictured
‘We’re expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.’
The incidents in Sydney’s east comes just a day after a man was killed at Palm Beach when his small boat capsized in massive swell and smashed onto rocks.
A frantic search has resumed for a 14-year-old boy who was onboard and remains missing on Thursday.
Another man from the vessel was found clinging to a rock platform about 25 metres from the overturned boat, suffering severe injuries to his left leg.
He was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and lowered onto a clearing near the foreshore car park for urgent treatment.
