A 52-year-old male from Amaroo Drive, Port Macquarie drowned off Lighthouse Beach on Sunday, in an event that has saddened the local community.
The tragic event occurred at about 10.30am when the man was swimming and playing ball with his five-year-old dog Donnie near Watonga Rock.
His female partner was also at the popular beach destination.
Port Macquarie Police Senior Constable Steve Cherry said, on one occasion, the male went into the surf to get the ball for his pet.
He was swimming and wading back to shore without any difficulty, he said.
“He has suddenly disappeared under the water and did not resurface,” Snr Const Cherry said.
“Assistance by nearby persons and surfers returned the male to the shoreline.
“Nearby surf life savers attended and cardio pulmonary resuscitation was carried out without the victim regaining consciousness.”
Snr Const Cherry said both police and ambulance attended the scene. However, the man was pronounced dead soon after arriving at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
“There is cause to believe he may have suffered a heart attack, however that is yet to be determined,” Snr Const Cherry said.
“He was said to be a good swimmer and in good health otherwise.
“A post mortem is to be carried out to determine the cause of death.”
This is the third surf-related death off Port Macquarie in the past six months and a timely reminder for swimmers to be conscious of water safety, although the recent death may have been unrelated.
Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club president Richard Broomby said they are again patrolling Lighthouse Beach, making sure that swimming at Lighthouse is as safe as it can be.
Inevitably, it was thankful they were on site, he said.
“Unfortunately the season has started with a fatality south of Watonga Rocks – south of the patrol area,” he said.
“Even though it wasn’t a surf swimming related death, it is a timely reminder that swimming in that area can be very dangerous.
“Watonga Rocks sadly has a tragic history and, despite the warnings by council lifeguards and surf life savers, people continue to swim there.
“Tacking Point SLSC mon-itors the area. However, this is infrequent and not under constant surveillance.
“People swimming outside the patrol area do so at their own risk.
“Tacking Point SLSC patrolled area during patrol hours are always under life savers’ watchful eyes and the safest area to swim is clearly marked by the flags.”
Mr Broomby said the surf swimming safety message doesn’t change.
“Always swim at a patrolled beach and between the flags,” he said.
He said never swim, surf or fish alone, read and obey the signs, be aware of rip currents (know how to spot one and how to escape).
“If in doubt, stay out. If people wish to check the conditions of patrolled beaches, just go to an established SLA website, www.beachsafe.com which contains the most up-to-date information about conditions during patrol hours.
“Don’t swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs, never run or dive in the water, even if you have checked before, as water conditions can change.
“If anyone is interested in becoming involved in surf life saving, check the club website atwww.tackingpointslsc.org,” Mr Broomby said
Mr Broomby could not stress enough the importance of and open arms waiting for new members — young or old — joining the club and/or enjoying the local beaches.
Rip current safety tips
If you’re swimming at the beach and find yourself being taken away from the beach and unable to get back, it is more than likely you are caught in a rip current.
There are a few important tips which can help you avoid and survive a rip from
www.ripcurrents.com.au:
â- You can survive rip currents by knowing your options.
â- To avoid rip currents, always swim between the red and yellow flags.
â- If you need help; stay calm, float, and raise an arm to attract attention.
â- To escape a rip, swim parallel to the beach.
