Dunbogan Beach drowning victim identified as Sydney mum Melissa Austin
The victim of drowning off NSW’s Mid-North Coast has been identified as a Sydney mother-of-two.
Melissa Austin, 45, was pulled from the water at Dunbogan Beach at around 3pm on Thursday.
Members of the public provided first aid until emergency services arrived, however Ms Austin could not be revived and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Berowra Heights mum was a hairdresser and owned a popular salon called Mel’s Hair and Beauty.
The salon, which was closed on Friday, confirmed the news of her passing in a Facebook post.
“With broken hearts, we share the passing of Mel the beautiful owner of Mel’s Hair and Beauty”, the post said.
“We kindly ask for privacy, understanding, and compassion during this incredibly painful time. Please be patient and kind with us as we navigate the next steps forward.”
A friend of Ms Austin’s commented on the post saying she was a “truly beautiful person and will be so deeply missed”.
In a separate post, the salon announced it will be closed “until further notice to allow the family time to come together.”
The mother-of-two is one of several drowning victims part of a cluster of incidents that occurred along NSW and Queensland beaches across the New Year’s period.
A 25-year-old woman who drowned at Maroubra Beach, and an Irish tourist who drowned at Whitehaven Beach are among the victims.
Surf Life Saving NSW performed more than 85 rescues between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with dangerous conditions closing about 70 beaches across the state on Thursday.
The search for a 14-year-old boy who has been missing since the boat he was on capsized off Palm Beach has entered its third day.
The incident occurred just before 12pm on Wednesday and claimed the life of one man, while another man found clinging to rocks was pulled to safety.
Authorities also continue the search for man in his 20s who was swept out to sea at Coogee Beach.
The man, believed to be a Nepalese national, was swimming with friends when they got into trouble in rough waters just after 6am.
The other three people in the group were rescued, however, the man could not be brought to shore.
Jet skis, helicopters, and police boats have continued the search, however it’s believed to now be a recovery mission for the man’s body.
“The conditions are super dangerous right up and down the coastline and that 24-hour period where we saw a big cluster of drownings and massive rescues and CPRs,” Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce told Sunrise.
“It was just so dangerous to go in and just so frustrating to see tragic losses of life that could have been prevented.”
Police and lifeguards are urging people to exercise caution, and to swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches.
