Tragedy at Nelson Bay Dive Site
A woman has died following a suspected drowning incident while scuba diving at Nelson Bay on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
Emergency services were called to Fly Point around 11am after reports a female scuba diver, believed to be in her 50s, had been pulled from the water unconscious.
Emergency Response and Hospitalisation
Multiple police units responded, including local officers, the Marine Area Command, and the Raptor Squad. Paramedics performed extensive resuscitation efforts at the scene before the woman was transported to Tomaree Community Hospital in a critical condition.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, officers confirmed the woman passed away at the hospital later that day. Police stated she has not yet been formally identified, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is underway.
National Drowning Statistics Highlight Coastal Risks
This tragic incident occurs against a backdrop of concerning coastal safety statistics in Australia. According to recent Surf Life Saving figures, 154 people drowned on Australian coastlines in the past year alone.
This sobering figure represents a record number and accounts for 43 percent of all drowning deaths during the reporting period. The annual report, released last month, also revealed that surf life savers performed more than two million preventative actions and rescued over 8,200 people from coastal trouble.
Jaz Lawes, the national Surf Life Saving research manager, commented on the statistics, stating, "Every life lost on our coastline is tragic, and last year we were alarmed to record our highest ever number of drowning deaths."
A report will be prepared for the coroner as the investigation continues.
