A man has been pulled from the water after being swept off rocks in the Royal National Park earlier today.
About 2.40pm (Friday 22 January 2021), emergency services were called to the Royal National Park, Wattamolla, after a 24-year-old man was washed off the rocks at Providential Point Lookout and into the ocean.
Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, assisted by the Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance and Surf Live Saving commenced a search of the area.
About 3.45pm, the man was pulled from the water by Surf Life Saving NSW and taken to St George Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, all rock anglers are urged to follow these safety tips when they venture out:
* Always wear a life jacket
* Make enquiries and check weather and conditions before you leave home
* Observe first/fish later: watch your intended fishing spot to get an idea of the conditions over a full swell/wave cycle
* Carry safety gear; head protection, as well as a float and line to help anyone else who might be washed into the water.
* Never fish by yourself and always stand within sight of each other
* Make sure you let family and friends know where you are going and when you'll be back
* Carry a mobile phone
* Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas and be aware that conditions may change dramatically in a short period of time
* Stay alert. Never turn your back on the sea
* If waves, the weather or swell threaten your fishing spot, leave immediately
* If in doubt, don't go out
* In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Further safety information can be found at: www.safefishing.com.au.
Multilingual rock fishing safety brochures can be downloaded from the website: www.safewaters.nsw.gov.au/fishing.htm
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
