Man Drowns At Flagstaff Beach

The incident occurred just after 4:30pm on Monday at the central part of the beach when a group of 7 men got into difficulty while enjoying an afternoon swim.

It is understood that the group aged from their mid-twenties to early-thirties were tourists visiting the area.

Lifeguards from Durunbah, who were patrolling the flagged area, raced to the scene and rescued one of the men.

By that time it was clear that a mass rescue was required with at least 5 more people clearly in distress.

A second lifeguard entered the water with a rescue board and was able to ferry four of the swimmers to shore.

During a third entry into the water a further two men were rescued. It was then that the Lifeguards spotted the last of the group unconscious. They pulled him from the water and began administering emergency treatment.

In an impressive display of interagency cooperation emergency assets including Paramedics and Police rushed to the scene.

Patrolling lifesavers from Fingal Rovers SLSC, two Far North Coast Duty officers, and a support jet ski from Queensland also responded to provide assistance where required.

Despite extensive CPR, all efforts to revive the distressed swimmer were unsuccessful. A further three men have been transported to hospital for further treatment.

“Christmas Day is special for the community and any tragedy is magnified on a day like this. The lifeguards and lifesavers involved all put in a heroic effort to save this young man’s life, but unfortunately were unable to do so,” said SLSNSW CEO Steven Pearce.

“This tragedy reinforces why we are so determined to ensure that our safety messages are heard and understood.

“Our sincere thoughts and sympathies are with the man’s family and friends at this sad time,” he said.  

Today’s incident is the 17^th coastal drowning since July, with the rising figure a concern for the entire surf life saving community.

Monday 25 December 2017