Off-duty police officer drowns at Narooma beach after rescuing son stuck in rip
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An off-duty police officer has drowned while rescuing his son from a rip at an unpatrolled beach on NSW's far South Coast on New Year's Day.
The 45-year-old man rescued his 14-year-old son, who was caught in a rip at a beach north of Bogola Head and south of Narooma.
Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer, from Nowra police station, said the dead man was an officer based in Sydney.
He said the man was dragged out to sea by a "substantial" rip, having managed to push his son to safety.
"This is a tragedy that will cut through to the family, his friends and his work mates," Acting Inspector Hoyer said.
"It's devastating. It's devastating at this time of the year and with the recency of the two deaths in Queensland, it brings home how dangerous policing is.
"As a father, parent and as a police officer he was obviously doing what he should be doing."
Police are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) Steven Pearce said the man's actions saved the teenager.
"Heroically, he was able to assist [the boy] out of danger, out of the rip, but he himself remained in the rip and submerged in front of witnesses," Mr Pearce said.
Lifesavers were called to the beach about 1:30pm and found the man a short time later.
They gave him CPR, but he was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
SLSNSW previously said two boys aged 12 and 15 were rescued from unpatrolled waters at nearby Handkerchief Beach, however, this was not correct.
Surf lifesavers have had their busiest Christmas period in three years according to SLSNSW president George Shales.
A warm summer without COVID restrictions has seen thousands flock to both the coastline and inland bodies of water like dams and lakes.
Mr Shales said more than 1,000 rescues had been performed, and, more than a dozen successful resuscitations had also taken place — primarily on children and young adult men.
"To be really honest, it is it is quite rare for them to be successful," Mr Shales said.
"Those individuals were swimming close to or near a patrolled location, which enables our surf lifesavers and lifeguards to be able to react and respond really quickly — and that's key to having a successful resuscitation," he added.
Two teenagers, aged 13 and 14, die while riding on an inflatable "biscuit" when they hit a submerged tree stump.
The organisation is urging people at beaches to be careful over the summer.
"Today is, again, going to be an extremely busy day with these hot temperatures," Mr Pearce said.
"We're pleading with everyone to ensure that, if you are going up and down the coastline today, please find a patrolled location.
"That's anywhere where you'll see lifesavers and lifeguards on duty — anywhere where you see those red and yellow flags flying — because as we've been saying all summer, if our lifesavers can't see you then they won't be able to rescue you."
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Reiterating earlier safety messages, Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer says beaches across the coast have been busy over the Christmas period.
"As tourist destinations, South Coast is very, very popular," he says.
"As always, NSW Police and Surf Life Saving always recommend that if you do want to go to the beach, swim between the flags at a patrolled beach."
This is where we'll leave Monday's update.
Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer says lifeguards were not present at the unpatrolled beach in Narooma.
"From what I understand, he was able to push his son out of the rip," he says.
"He was then taken further out to sea in the rip, and that will obviously form part of our investigation as we prepare a brief for the Coroner."
Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer says the tragedy has "cut through to the family, his friends and his workmates".
"It's devastating, it's devastating at this time of year," he says.
"Obviously with the recency of the two deaths in Queensland, it brings home how dangerous policing is."
He says "as a father, parent and police officer", the 45-year-old was "doing what he should be doing".
Acting Inspector Hoyer has confirmed the 45-year-old man was a police offer with the North West Metropolitan region and was on holidays when the incident occurred.
He says he entered the water to rescue his 14-year-old son who had been swept out to sea on a rip.
"Ambulance and CPR attempted to do CPR, however, his life was pronounced extinct at this time."
NSW Police Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer is speaking with the media after an off-duty officer drowned while rescuing a teenager yesterday afternoon.
Officers from South Coast Police District have commenced an investigation and will prepare a report for the Coroner.
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