A tragic week on Australia's waters: Fatalities from New South Wales to South Australia
A series of drowning and boating incidents across New South Wales and off the South Australia coast have resulted in multiple fatalities over the past week, involving swimmers, fishermen, boaters, and marine rescue volunteers.
Ballina Rescue Operation
On Monday at approximately 6:15 PM, emergency services received a report of a yacht in distress off the South Ballina breakwall in northern NSW. Marine Rescue NSW deployed a vessel that capsized while crossing the Ballina Bar in rough conditions.
Two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, Bill Ewen, 78, and Frank Petsch, 62, died after being thrown into the water. The skipper of the yacht also died; formal identification is pending.
Survivors:
- Four other Marine Rescue volunteers on board survived and managed to reach shore or were rescued.
- Three other individuals from the yacht reached shore unaided and were taken to Lismore Base Hospital for observation.
- One man was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and treated for chest injuries.
Response:
- Tweed Heads Water Police and general duties officers from Richmond Police District are at the scene.
- Marine Area Command is coordinating search and rescue from Balmain.
- AMSA Challenger jet and Lismore Rescue Helicopter are providing assistance.
- A search continues for a possible additional person from the yacht. Police divers are awaiting calmer seas to attempt a salvage operation.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a 2-3 metre easterly swell in the area. The Richmond River bar has a history of boating incidents during heavy seas.
Yamba Boat Capsizing
On a separate occasion, a boat capsized at Yamba on the NSW far north coast shortly after 6:30 AM on the Clarence River bar near the Yamba breakwater.
A woman and a man, both believed to be in their 50s, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Formal identification is pending.
- A 52-year-old man was recovered from the water and transported to Maclean District Hospital for assessment.
- A woman was brought ashore by a member of the public, and Marine Rescue recovered a second male.
- NSW Police are investigating the cause of the capsizing.
Rock Fishing Incidents
Bouddi National Park:
Emergency services were called to Little Beach, Bouddi, after a body was observed in the water around 4:20 PM. A multi-agency search led to the recovery of a 46-year-old man who could not be revived. Approximately two hours later, authorities were alerted to another man missing in the same area. A second search located the body of a 67-year-old man. Both men were identified and are believed to have traveled from Beecroft, northern Sydney. Police confirmed neither man was wearing a life jacket.
Frazer Park:
A 41-year-old fisherman died after being swept off rocks at Frazer Park, south of Newcastle, on Saturday at approximately 1:20 PM. Despite wearing a floatation device, his body was recovered from the water by the Westpac helicopter. The man was with two other individuals; one jumped in to attempt a rescue. The victim was rescued by a passing boat but did not survive.
Indijup Natural Spa (Western Australia):
A man in his 20s drowned at Indijup Natural Spa near Yallingup, Western Australia, after being swept off rocks into a rip current. His body was recovered by a jet ski. The man, visiting from South-East Asia, had limited swimming abilities. Police stated that attempts to provide flotation devices were unsuccessful. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.
Spearfishing Incidents
Shelly Beach, Manly:
A US national aged in his 40s died after being pulled from the water at Shelly Beach in Manly, Sydney. Emergency services were called following reports of two swimmers in difficulty. The man was unconscious; paramedics administered CPR and he was taken to hospital, where he died. The other swimmer, in his 20s, was uninjured. Police stated the two men, who were known to each other, were spearfishing before being caught in a rip current.
Lobster Bay Beach, Shoalhaven:
A man estimated to be in his 50s died after being retrieved from the water at Lobster Bay Beach, Shoalhaven, on Friday at approximately 12:40 PM. The man was reportedly spearfishing with another individual when he became entangled in a float line. Off-duty lifesavers pulled the man from the water, finding him unresponsive. Paramedics performed CPR; however, the man was pronounced deceased. Police have established a crime scene at Lobster Bay Beach.
Other Drowning Incidents
Jervis Bay:
A 34-year-old male died after being retrieved from rough water conditions at Green Patch beach, Jervis Bay, on Saturday at approximately 4:45 PM. The man, a resident of NSW, was brought to shore. CPR was initiated; however, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three additional individuals received attention from paramedics, with none requiring further medical treatment. A report regarding the death will be prepared for the ACT coroner, as the incident occurred within waters designated to the Capital Territory.
Shellharbour Beach:
A 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman died after being pulled from the water at Shellharbour Beach around 11:10 AM. Two off-duty nurses and a young man observed the couple experiencing difficulty and brought them to the sand. They initiated CPR until paramedics arrived. The couple could not be revived and were pronounced deceased at the location.
Lord Howe Island:
A 54-year-old woman died after being pulled unresponsive from the water at a beach on Lord Howe Island on Wednesday. Emergency services were alerted around 10:30 AM. Members of the public brought the woman ashore and initiated CPR. She was transported to a hospital where she was subsequently pronounced deceased.
South Australia Fishing Incident
Three fishermen from New South Wales died in waters off South Australia's Limestone Coast. The alarm was raised on Sunday at approximately 2:30 PM when the men, aged 65, 67, and 74, did not return to shore at Beachport. A search operation was initiated involving police Water Operations, PolAir, the State Emergency Service, local boat operators, and aerial assets including drones. The men were located deceased, and their bodies have been recovered. A report for the coroner will be prepared by the police.
Additional Context
Surf Lifesaving NSW reported that multiple coastal drownings have occurred in recent weeks, with four drownings recorded within 24 hours at one point during the period. Surf Life Saving NSW has urged the public to swim at patrolled beaches, noting that drownings have occurred at unpatrolled locations. Current regulations in New South Wales require life jacket use in declared rock fishing areas, with a $100 fine for non-compliance.
Multiple investigations are ongoing, and reports will be prepared for the respective coroners.