Two young women have been rushed to hospital following a dramatic rescue after they were caught in a rip at an unpatrolled beach in Wollongong.
Dramatic Evening Rescue at Coniston Beach
The incident unfolded just after 7pm on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Coniston Beach. The women, both in their 20s, were swimming when they were suddenly swept out by a strong rip current. Their plight was spotted by a vigilant passer-by, who immediately triggered the emergency response beacon located at the beach.
As the beacon activated a triple-zero call, three bystanders bravely entered the water with a rescue tube attached to the beacon. They swam out to the struggling women and successfully brought them back to shore. The rescue took place in the ocean near the iconic WIN Stadium.
Lifesavers and Paramedics Swiftly Respond
Lifesavers from the Wollongong City and North Wollongong surf clubs were fortuitously nearby, attending a club meeting and movie night. They were promptly dispatched to the scene. "On arrival the patients were exiting the water after the rescue," the lifesavers reported.
NSW Ambulance paramedics were on site quickly, providing treatment to the two women on the beach. They were subsequently transported to Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition for further assessment.
A Spike in Dangerous After-Hours Incidents
This alarming event is part of a concerning trend of rescues at unpatrolled locations across the Illawarra region. Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officer Anthony Turner revealed that a record number of after-hours rescues have occurred in recent days.
"Since Wednesday, January 7, 2026, a record number of after hours rescues have occurred locally at Austinmer Beach, Woonona Beach, the northern side of Woonona pool, Bellambi Beach, North Wollongong Beach and now Wollongong City Beach in the last six days by lifesavers and brave bystanders," Mr Turner stated.
He issued a stern reminder to all beachgoers: "Your safety is paramount, please only swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags."
This incident follows other recent emergencies, including the rescue of two children and a teenager at Woonona Beach on January 8, and a man left fighting for life after being pulled from a Kiama beach on January 4. Tragically, seven people drowned in NSW during the festive period, including fatalities near Jervis Bay and Currarong.
Understanding Emergency Response Beacons
The quick-thinking use of the Emergency Response Beacon (ERB) was crucial in this rescue. These bright yellow boxes on tall poles are installed in unpatrolled areas across the Illawarra coastline to provide the public with direct access to emergency services.
Pushing the button on the unit activates a direct call to triple-zero, alerting authorities to the exact location. In the Illawarra, ERBs are located at:
- Austinmer, Bulli, Coniston, East Corrimal, Puckeys, Sharkys and Woonona beaches.
- Further south at Shellharbour South Beach, Blowhole Kiama, Kendall Beach and South Bombo.
While these beacons are a vital safety tool, lifesavers reiterate that the best prevention is to always choose a patrolled beach and swim between the flags.
