Phillip Island: Three dead and one fighting for life after swimmers pulled out of the beach's water
Three people have died and another is fighting for life after being pulled from the water on a Phillip Island beach.
Three women and a man were unresponsive when they were rescued around 3:30 p.m. near Forrest Caves, an unguarded beach in the southeast of the island.
Two women in their 20s and a man in his 40s were given CPR on the beach but were pronounced dead at the scene.
Three people have died and another is fighting for life after being pulled from the water on a Phillip Island beach
A major emergency occurs at Forrest Caves, an unguarded beach in the southeast of the island
A third woman in her 20s was taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.
Victoria Police said the deaths were not suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Forrest Coves is an exposed beach on the east coast of Phillip Island.
It is believed to be prone to cracking, but is not checked.
Phillip Island's tourism website promotes an 'easy' 2km walk around the Forrest Caves, but warns visitors to be careful with changing tides.
“Forrest Caves are sea caves formed by cliff erosion over many years and can only be explored and entered at low tide,” the website says.
Two women in their 20s and a man in his 40s received CPR on the beach but died
'The walk goes past large sand dunes, where thousands of short-tailed shearwaters live from October to April.
'Please note that the caves are only accessible at low tide. Be careful of changing tides and waves.'
Local surfer Kellie Smith McDonald took to social media to warn visitors of the dangers of swimming near the caves.
“Forrest Caves is so heavily promoted at low tide through the tourist center and Instagrammers to all visitors,” she wrote.
'It is extremely popular with internationals all year round. I see so many out there at all tides taking risks on the rocks and taking their pictures while I surf.”
More to come.