Qld man drowns at popular NSW surf spot
Luke Costin |
A Queensland man has died at a beach near popular NSW surf town Crescent Head – taking the summer’s national drowning toll to 51.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, was pulled unconscious from the water at Delicate Nobby about 5pm on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.
Members of the public performed CPR until the police and paramedics arrived but the man died at the scene.
He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be a Queensland man in his 50s.
The death is the 20th in NSW and 51st nationally since December 1, according to Royal Life Saving’s summer drowning toll.
Three in every four deaths have been men or boys.
Meanwhile a young girl was flown to hospital after almost drowning, when she was found submerged in a swimming pool on the NSW South Coast.
Paramedics were told the girl, who was under five years old, had been submerged in the pool at Tomakin after 1pm on Wednesday.
The girl was assessed by paramedics before being flown to Moruya District Hospital in a stable condition, NSW Ambulance Inspector Steve Owen said.
“Understandably, this was an incredibly distressing moment for the girl’s family,” he said.
“This is a timely reminder to everyone to take extra care around the water, especially when there are children present.”
It comes as Surf Life Saving Australia warns the risk of drowning on the Australia Day public holiday is four times higher than on any other day of the year.
SLSA chief executive Adam Weir suggested increased danger came from factors including increased alcohol consumption and crowded beaches, which led people to seek out unfamiliar locations.
“We have lost 28 people along our coastline this summer alone, with all drowning deaths occurring outside the red and yellow flags, either at unpatrolled locations or outside of patrol hours,” Mr Weir said.
Rip currents are the biggest concern and are believed to have contributed to at least half of the drowning deaths over the holiday period.
Seventy-five drownings were recorded nationally between December 1 and January 24 last summer.
AAP
