Sydney drowning: Heartbreaking details emerge after two women died while picnicking with friends at Kurnell
Two women have died after being swept off rocks at a popular Sydney beach during a picnic.
Emergency services rushed to Cape Solander, a lookout on Kurnell in Sydney’s south, about 4.30pm on Monday after reports that three women had disappeared from the edge of the cliff into the ocean.
The women were reportedly picnicking with friends and walking along the rock platform when a “freak wave” hit them and swept them into the sea.
NSW Police said a woman managed to leave the water and climb onto rocks before being assisted by members of the public.
A major search was launched for the remaining two women.
Two women died after being swept off rocks at a popular beach and rock fishing spot in Sydney (photo, emergency services on scene)
A bystander said people were watching whales when onlookers with binoculars were asked by Parks and Wildlife Rangers to look out for the women.
It is understood three rescue helicopters searched for the duo before NSW ambulance vans arrived.
NSW Police said the remaining two women were eventually located with the assistance of PolAir helicopters and pulled unconscious from the water.
They were taken to shore where emergency services performed CPR, but they could not be revived.
They have yet to be formally identified.
It is understood the woman who survived suffered minor injuries, is breathing and conscious and was rushed to St George Hospital.
It is understood she was being treated for hypothermia.
Bystanders who assisted in the rescue also had to be treated by paramedics at the scene for hypothermia.
Police have cordoned off a crime scene and are launching an investigation into the incident.
Speaking to Nine’s Today programme, NSW Police Inspector Joe McNulty advised beachgoers to always pay attention to the sea when walking on the rocks.
Bystanders revealed that groups of people had gathered at Cape Solander to watch whales migrating north to warmer waters
The women were reportedly picnicking with friends and walking along the rock platform when a ‘freak wave’ hit them and swept them into the sea (police on scene)
“Never turn your back on the sea, whatever activity you do,” he said.
‘It’s the golden rule. Don’t turn your back on the ocean.’
No suspicious circumstances have been identified at this time, NSW Police said.
The cliff face is popular among rock fishermen, with two men dying after being washed off the rocks in the same area several weeks ago.
Their bodies were recovered from the water a short time later and could not be revived.
