A man believed to be from Queensland has drowned at an unpatrolled beach on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, prompting a warning from surf life savers ahead of the Australia Day public holiday.
Emergency services were called to rocks at Delicate Nobby, north of Port Macquarie, just after 5pm yesterday after reports an unconscious man had been pulled from the water. Members of the public performed CPR until police and paramedics arrived, but the man died at the scene.
Police have not formally identified the man, but he is believed to be a Queensland man aged in his 50s. The drowning is the 29th coastal drowning death since the start of summer, according to Surf Life Saving Australia.
SLSA is urging people to be vigilant about water safety ahead of the Australia Day public holiday, when the coastal drowning risk is four times higher as large crowds flock to the beach. SLSA spokesperson Mr Jacobson advised people to stop, look and plan before entering the water, and to swim between the red and yellow flags.
Mr Jacobson also reminded anyone planning activities near coastal waterways, including rock fishing, boating or paddle sports, to wear a life jacket. He stressed the importance of avoiding alcohol near waterways and ensuring children are monitored at all times.
