Three Dead and Two Missing as Wild Weather Closes 68 Beaches

SYDNEY:  A devastating 36-hour period has left three people dead and two others missing across New South Wales, as dangerous “wild weather” and treacherous surf conditions turn New Year celebrations into a state-wide emergency.

Emergency services have been pushed to their limits with a spate of incidents spanning from Sydney’s iconic Eastern Suburbs to the Mid North Coast:

A 25-year-old Chinese tourist died after being swept from a tidal rock pool by a rogue wave at approximately 4:00 am. Her body was recovered an hour later.

A 45-year-old woman died on the Mid North Coast this afternoon after being pulled unconscious from the water by bystanders. Despite CPR efforts, she was declared dead at the scene.

A man died on New Year’s Eve after a boat overturned. The search continues today for a 14-year-old boy still missing from that incident.

A massive search is underway for a man in his 20s who was swept out in a rip at 6:00 am today. While two others were rescued by an on-duty police officer, the young man has not been found.

A woman is believed dead after she was swept out to sea at Maroubra Beach, Sydney.

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) reported a “surge” in rescues, many involving children and tourists.

Four ACT tourists, including a 15-year-old, were rescued after being swept out to sea. A 51-year-old woman required an emergency airlift to the hospital.

A 42-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the water after a head-first jump from a jetty.

A body-surfer was saved by his leash after being resuscitated on the sand by the public.

In response to the “choppy surf, currents, and intensified wind,” authorities have taken the rare step of closing 68 beaches across the state. Randwick City Council has officially shut all local beaches, including Coogee, Maroubra, Clovelly, Little Bay, and Malabar.

Police and Marine Command have suspended several search operations due to the deteriorating conditions, with plans to resume at first light tomorrow.