Police have urged members of the community to be extremely careful when swimming in areas that are not patrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers after the death of a man in the Royal National Park south of Sutherland yesterday, NSW Police say.
Shortly before 7pm yesterday (Thursday 1 November 2018), emergency services were called to Wattamolla Beach after reports that three men had got into difficulties whilst jumping from rocks into the lagoon.
Upon the arrival of officers from Sutherland Police Area Command, two men had been rescued from the water by friends and were being treated by Ambulance paramedics.
Both men, aged 21 and 19 were taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition, where they remain under observation.
The body of a third man was located a short time later by the Police Helicopter (POLAIR) who were able to direct a paramedic to the area.
The 20-year-old man’s body was recovered a short time later by paramedics.
Inspector Christopher Hill from Sutherland Police Area Command said visitors to the area need to obey warning signs erected by the National Parks and Wildlife Service when swimming at Wattamolla.
"This tragic death is another reminder of how the enjoyment of swimming at these spectacular locations can quickly become deadly," Inspector Christopher Hill said.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
