HOPEFUL SEARCH: Amanda Mackenzie-Kludas and her husband, Saul, maintain their vigil at Ghosties Beach on Monday. Picture: Dean Osland
ONE woman is dead, and two men are missing, feared drowned, following a rock fishing trip to Flat Rock, a notoriously dangerous rock-fishing spot in south Lake Macquarie.
The body of Niranda Blair, 18, of Edgeworth, was found washed up on Ghosties Beach, in Lake Munmorah State Conservation Area, on Sunday.
As the Lakes Mail went to press on Tuesday night, the search was continuing for Ms Blair's boyfriend, Trey Adamson, 18, of Gateshead, and Windale man Ben Winn, 20.
Those closest to the pair were not giving up hope of them being found alive.
Mr Winn's sister Amanda Mackenzie-Kludas and her husband Saul were among dozens who combed the area from before dawn until after dusk on Monday in search of the men.
"If Ben is out there and he's tired and cold, then I should be there," Ms Mackenzie-Kludas told the Newcastle Herald on Tuesday.
She remained hopeful that the men were "in a cave or on rocks" and would be found.
Mr Adamson's mother Tracey Adamson said the trio were passionate anglers and sensible.
"They all love [fishing], they absolutely adore it," she told the Newcastle Herald.
Flat Rock is popular with anglers because of the access it offers to deep water and good catches.
But it has a dark history.
In May, 2010, five people were washed to their deaths from the level outcrop. Only four bodies were recovered.
A week earlier a man was swept to his death about 100 metres from Flat Rock.
Deputy State Coroner Mark Buscombe later recommended that lifesaving devices become compulsory for rock fishermen.
It is a recommendation that has still yet to be legislated.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast president Stuart Harvey said the state government should set down a law requiring every rock fisherman to wear a personal flotation device (PDF).
"Our message to every every rock fisherman, is to wear the PDF," he said.
