Boy dies after being trapped in rocks after horror spate of drownings over Easter weekend
A young boy has died in horrific circumstances after becoming trapped in rocks and drowning off the NSW coastline.
The tragedy came after a horror Easter long weekend, with seven people confirmed dead in a spate of coastal drownings and the search for a further two people missing continuing.
About 3.30pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to the popular tourist destination of South West Rocks following reports that the nine-year-old boy had become wedged between rocks off the shoreline.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Emergency services, including police, fire and rescue and surf life savers, tried desperately to extricate the boy from the rocks, however, he died at the scene.
An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Dangerous surf conditions on the east coast have contributed to the worst Easter drowning toll in NSW, where six people have died.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the weekend had been “absolutely horrific from a coastal drowning perspective”.
“This is the worst Easter long weekend that we have seen on our records here for NSW,” said Mr Pearce.
“It’s been the perfect storm with high temperatures … hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers venturing out, and an absolutely enormous swell impacting the entire NSW coastline.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved-ones.
“Australians love the water, we love the surf,” he said from the southern NSW coastal town of Bateman’s Bay.
“Please, everyone, be careful. Families in particular, to be careful of your kids.”
About 11am on Sunday, a fisherman died and another had to be rushed to hospital after they were swept off rocks in Wattamolla in Sydney’s south. The pair were winched from the water, however a man could not be revived. A 15-year-old boy was taken to the Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Two men drowned in separate incidents on Friday, one in Middle Head Point in Mosman and another in Wollongong Harbour.
A fisherman is also feared dead after he was swept off rocks at Green Cape, near Eden on Friday.
On Saturday, another fisherman drowned in nearby Tathra after also being swept off rocks.
In Victoria on Friday, three people were swept into the ocean. One woman has been confirmed dead and a man is still missing. A woman who was with them managed to make it back to shore.
