Two people have drowned, and a third person is missing as monster swells rising to four metres batter the NSW coastline on Friday, amid growing concern about dangerous swimming conditions for an unseasonably warm long weekend.
Hazardous swell warnings have been issued for all NSW beaches by the Bureau of Meteorology. Police have advised beachgoers to consider staying out of the water and avoid walking close to surf-exposed areas.
Big swell at Thirroul beach near Wollongong.Credit: Nick Moir
A person drowned off Middle Head in Mosman on Friday morning. The death was being treated as a misadventure, a police spokesperson confirmed.
Earlier on Friday, a 58-year-old fisherman died after being swept into the water in Wollongong Harbour. Police believe the man was fishing on a rock wall nearby when he was swept into the water. Attempts to revive him at the scene were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, a search is under way for a third person reportedly swept out to sea at Little Bay in Sydney’s south. Police confirmed a multi-agency search operation was activated at 1.10pm, following reports of a man seen struggling in the water.
A PolAir helicopter searched the waters near Little Bay.Credit: Nine News
BoM meteorologist Jiwon Park observed waves as high as five metres hitting the NSW north coast on Thursday night. Swells reaching four metres were rolling into Sydney on Friday morning.
Park forecast hazardous conditions to last until Saturday, when a deep low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea following from ex-tropical cyclone Tam moves towards New Zealand.
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