A woman has been found dead after being swept out into the ocean from a Sydney beach in the early hours of New Year’s Day, as authorities issue a warning about dangerous surf conditions on the NSW coast.
Later in the morning another swimmer went missing in the water at Coogee.
Emergency services were called to Maroubra Beach in Sydney about 4am on Thursday after reports a person had been swept out into the ocean.
The 25-year-old woman was hit by a wave, knocking her into a tidal rock pool before further waves swept her out to sea, NSW police were told.
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Police, including the air wing, and NSW Ambulance began a search and found the body of a woman at about 5am.
Police said on Thursday morning that while formal identification was yet to be completed, the body was believed to be that of the missing woman.
At Coogee, a search was under way on Thursday morning for another swimmer believed to be missing in the water.
Just after 6am today emergency services were called to Coogee Beach after reports a man – believed to be aged in his 20s – was in trouble in the water.
Police, ambulance, surf lifesaving and council officers joined the search.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for much of the NSW coast, stretching from Byron to the Illawarra.
Surf and swell conditions were expected to be hazardous on Thursday for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming, the BoM said.
The police marine area command said people should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
“Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf,” a warning note said.
“Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage. Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.”