A second man has died in a tragic drowning incident on the New South Wales South Coast, casting a shadow over the holiday period and prompting urgent safety warnings.
Emergency response at Green Patch
Emergency services were called to Green Patch Beach on the southern shore of Jervis Bay at approximately 4:45pm on January 4, 2026. The call came after reports that several people were struggling in the water amid challenging surf conditions.
The beach, located within the Booderee National Park in the Jervis Bay Territory, was busy with holidaymakers. Witnesses and other beachgoers managed to pull four individuals from the water before paramedics arrived.
Despite immediate and extensive efforts, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation administered by emergency crews, a 34-year-old man could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A double tragedy for the region
This incident occurred just 24 hours after another man died at Lobster Bay, near Currarong, further north in the Shoalhaven region. Police are investigating whether that man, believed to be in his 50s, drowned or suffered a medical episode.
Following the Green Patch incident, paramedics treated three other men, believed to be in their 20s, for minor injuries. None of the three required hospitalisation.
Swimmers in the area at the time described the conditions as difficult, with large waves making the surf hazardous. ACT Police are now leading the investigation into the drowning and will prepare a report for the coroner.
A dangerous summer on the coast
These back-to-back tragedies contribute to a spate of recent deaths along the NSW coastline this summer. They serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of the ocean, even in seemingly idyllic locations like the protected waters of Jervis Bay.
The community is now mourning the loss of two lives in as many days, highlighting the critical importance of:
- Swimming at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags.
- Heeding official warnings about surf conditions.
- Understanding one's own swimming limitations, especially in rough water.
Authorities are urging all beachgoers to exercise extreme caution as the summer holiday period continues.
