Three drownings in 24 hours spark urgent safety alert for NSW beaches
Three people died and another was hospitalized after incidents on NSW beaches, leading Surf Life Saving NSW to issue an urgent warning.
Over a 24-hour span, three men drowned at Cabarita Beach, Saltwater Beach and Stockton Beach, while a fourth man was rescued but hospitalized after being pulled from East Corrimal. The deaths bring NSW's coastal drowning count to eight since the start of July, prompting Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce to call the weekend "horrific" and urge the public to use patrolled beaches and check Beachsafe. More than 21,000 volunteer lifeguards are preparing to patrol the coastline when the season starts on September 26.
National data show drowning deaths remain 10% above the ten-year average, with beaches accounting for a quarter of NSW fatalities. Inland waterways also pose significant risks, according to Royal Life Saving Australia. Officials advise swimming with a companion, ensuring phone coverage and carrying flotation devices, especially at unpatrolled sites.
Why it matters
It highlights growing drowning risks on Australian coasts and the need for heightened public safety measures.
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