Urgent search is launched for young man at Coogee Beach after woman’s body washed up just metres away in New Year’s Day horror
An urgent search is underway at Coogee Beach after a young man vanished in the surf early on New Year’s Day, just hours after a woman’s body washed up nearby.
Emergency crews rushed to Coogee about 6am on Thursday after reports the swimmer, believed to be aged in his 20s, was in trouble in the water.
A police officer plunged into the surf fully clothed, racing to help as swimmers nearby fought to keep the man afloat.
Police officers, the Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance and Surf Life Saving NSW are collaborating in the search efforts.
Paramedics are on the scene treating some onlookers for shock.
The drama unfolded only two hours after tragedy struck at nearby Maroubra Beach, less than three kilometres away.
Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a tidal rock pool and dragged her into the ocean.
Her body was found about an hour later during massive search involving PolAir helicopters and Marine Area Command.
A police officer is seen running into the giant swell at Coogee Beach
A helicopter is seen over the eastern suburbs coast after two tragedies unfolded overnight
An urgent search has been launched for a man missing at Coogee Beach
The body is yet to be formally identified, but police believe it is the missing woman.
Authorities are urging beachgoers to stay vigilant as New Year’s celebrations stretch into the holiday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for Sydney’s coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.
Similar warnings are in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts, with treacherous conditions expected throughout New Year’s Day.
‘People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,’ the official advisory says.
Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.
Northern Beaches surf lifesaving co-ordinator Steve Downman urged people to stay out of the water on Thursday, warning that Sydney beaches would be pounded by ‘walls of white water’ and powerful waves.
‘Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,’ Downman told ABC Sydney Radio.
Revellers are seen at Coogee Beach, where a search is underway for a missing swimmer
Police officers are seen speaking to beach-goers at Coogee on Thursday
A crowd gathered at Coogee as a search was launched for a man believed to be aged in his 20s
The Maroubra rock pool is pictured
‘We’re expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.’
The Maroubra drowning comes just a day after a man was killed at Palm Beach when his small boat capsized in massive swell and smashed onto rocks shortly after midday.
A frantic search is underway for a 14-year-old boy who was on board and remains missing.
Crews will resume the hunt on Thursday morning.
Another man from the vessel was found clinging to a rock platform about 25 metres from the overturned boat, suffering severe injuries to his left leg.
He was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and lowered onto a clearing near the foreshore car park for urgent treatment.
