It’s been a horror start to the holiday season for Moonee Beach in Coffs Harbour.
Heavy surfs and treacherous conditions made swimming on the unpatrolled beach seem like a bad idea, but that didn’t stop holidaymakers taking a chance, and the results have been tragic.
Paramedics confirmed today that a 60-year-old Swiss man was pronounced dead on the beach after being pulled from the surf, ABC reports.
Mick Mair from NSW Ambulance said the man had been reported missing an hour before they found him, with Ambulance acting deputy commissioner Tony Gately noting that despite the situation appearing beyond hope, paramedics still worked hard to save the man.
The unnamed man was treated at the beach this morning
“Paramedics arrived and started treating the man, lifeguards were also on scene performing CPR … unfortunately the patient passed away,” he said.
On Monday three members of the same family passed away after being caught in what was described as “ferocious surf” that battered the mid-north coast.
In that incident six people were swept out by a strong rip, with three adults dying and three children being taken to hospital were they remain in a stable condition.
The third of the deceased adults was only discovered this morning, capping off an awful day for mid-coast authorities.
“Please swim at patrolled beaches, it’s the only place to swim,” Mr Mair said, adding that “If it’s not patrolled, basically you should not be swimming there.”
Moonee Beach is known to experience rapid currents and river torrents, due to its location next to both creek and river mouths.
Scenic but deadly, Moonee Beach is subject to deadly currents
Extensive rainfall is thought to have contributed to the notably rough conditions being experienced in the surf.
