Rock fisherman dies at dangerous headland on Central Coast

A man has died after a wave swept him into the ocean while rock fishing on a notoriously dangerous part of the Central Coast, between Sydney and Newcastle.

Rescuers were called to Frazer Park within the Munmorah State Conservation Area about 1.20pm on Saturday after reports a fisherman had been swept into the surf.

Three friends had been fishing off Snapper Point, north of Frazer Park beach and near a secluded campground.

Two of the men were fishing off a higher platform when the third, a 41-year-old man, was knocked off a lower platform by a wave.

The man was wearing a flotation device around his torso, but no life jacket, a police spokesperson said. He clung to an Esky to stay afloat.

One of his friends entered the water to try to save him but was unsuccessful. He was picked up by a passing boat and taken to Swansea RSL Club, uninjured.

After 10 to 15 minutes, the man had let go of the Esky and was seen floating face-up in the surf, the spokesperson said.

A paramedic on the Westpac Rescue helicopter winched down and retrieved the man’s body. The paramedics attempted CPR, but he could not be saved.

Police, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW also took part in rescue efforts. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and preparing a report for the coroner.

Surf Life Saving NSW has described the area as notoriously dangerous, with “lots of rock crevasses and lots of caves”.

More than 20 people have died since 2008 along the three-kilometre stretch of coastline where Snapper Point is located, including a rock fisher in 2019 who was swept off the point and into a treacherous sea cave.

Several other people have drowned or been rescued after waves swept them from the rocks of Snapper Point. The jagged volcanic rock platforms on the point are popular with fishers.