Name: Authorities urge caution after drownings at Sydney’s eastern beaches
Uploaded: 2026-01-01T06:16:02.169Z
Duration: 2 min 28 s
Description: A male swimmer is missing and a woman has died as double tragedy hit Sydney’s eastern beaches in separate incidents early on New Year’s Day, while the head of Surf Life Saving NSW lamented a “horrific” run of drownings in the past 24 hours.

A male swimmer is missing and a woman has died as double tragedy hit Sydney’s eastern beaches in separate incidents early on New Year’s Day, while the head of Surf Life Saving NSW lamented a “horrific” run of drownings in the past 24 hours.

New South Wales

A series of drownings and rescue operations have taken place along the New South Wales east coast within a 24-hour period. Incidents include the ongoing search for a missing 24-year-old Nepalese student at Coogee Beach, the recovery of a 25-year-old woman's body at Maroubra, and the successful revival of a 50-year-old man at Avoca Beach thanks to off-duty medical practitioners.

Additionally, a 14-year-old schoolboy remains missing after a boat capsized off Palm Beach, resulting in one fatality. Authorities and lifeguards are urging the public to avoid swimming in dangerous conditions, noting that the recent spate of incidents has caught many off guard during the New Year's period.

Authorities urge caution after drownings at Sydney’s eastern beaches

The New South Wales east coast, a scene of loss and heartache. I wish I could stand here and say happy new year to everyone. But it is not a happy new year for multiple families that have been affected by multiple drownings that have occurred within the last 24 hours. Over Coogee Beach, a desperate search from the sky and on the water by multiple agencies. For a missing man thought to be a 24-year-old Nepalese student who went for a swim with friends at sunrise. They were swept out in a very big rip and got swept off their feet. Without hesitation, a uniformed police officer waded through whitewash fully clothed, diving into the surf with off-duty lifesaver Anthony Hatcher coming to their rescue. Three of them were able to make it back to shore. Unfortunately, one was unable to return. That swimmer remains outstanding and the search continues behind us for him. Just one hour earlier and no more than three kilometres south, shocked and distraught friends comforted in an ambulance after the body of a 25-year-old woman was pulled from raging waters at Maroobra's man pool. It's obviously pretty rough conditions, the surf's up pretty big. I was looking to go down for a swim but after checking it out, maybe it's not suitable. You never know of the freak wave. Once you get swept out here, it'll suck you under the rocks. OK, and there's no chance at all. A chance some took at Avoca Beach. Dinner time last night almost turned to tragedy when a 50-year-old man was found floating face down. CPR saved his life. Fortunately, the two off-duty lifesavers were medical practitioners from a nearby hospital so this gentleman has the best chances of survival. And despite this disastrous day, loved ones are still holding out hope for a 14-year-old schoolboy whose boat capsized off Palm Beach around lunch yesterday, claiming one man's life. Whether the sun's shining, the wind howling or it's bucketing down, the message from lifeguards is simple. Stay out of the water if the conditions look dangerous because they probably are. These spate of rescues at the moment and drownings have just caught everyone off guard over this New Year's period. We just need a break. Olivia Blunden, 10 News.

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