A RESCUE on Monday afternoon has forced lifeguards protecting swimmers at Munmorah Conservation Area to renew their warning about a notorious blackspot just days after making it.
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The incident came on a horror day on the state’s beaches that also included a death at Boomerang beach, south of Forster, and one near Kiama blowhole on the south coast.
An Australian Lifeguard Service patrol was called into the Frazer Park blowhole on Monday after reports a man was stranded in the area.
Emergency services were called in about 2.30pm, with lifeguards on jet skis on the scene.
The man was rescued within 15 minutes, assessed by paramedics and given a clear bill of health.
Lifeguards at Catherine Hill Bay and from nearby surf clubs were also alerted but ultimately not required.
On January 5 the Newcastle Herald reported Lake Macquarie City Council beach lifeguard team leader Paul Stone has joined with organisations including the Office of Environment and Heritage and Surf Life Saving NSW to let swimmers know the beautiful site had hidden dangers.
“There’s two different things that go on in there at Frazer Park,” he said earlier this month.
“One being the location is highly attractive to rock fishermen, it’s a rock-fishing mecca. So we certainly see more than our fair share of rock-fishermen being washed in there.
“And the other thing that happens there is the big cave. It’s not a long walk to walk around to the front of it, and a lot of people like to swim in there and have a look.”
Surf Life Saving NSW estimates there have been 35 major emergency call-outs to the area in the past 10 years.
Australian Lifeguard Service lifeguard operations co-ordinator Patria Harris said the lifeguards’ efforts on Monday deserved praise.
“It was a professional response from the on-duty lifeguards who assessed the situation quickly and were able to use both their training and knowledge of the conditions to carry out the rescue,” said Ms Harris.
“What the incident highlights is the danger of the blowhole in that particular location and we are certainly urging the public to be aware when swimming, walking or fishing throughout the area.”
The Boomerang beach swimmer, thought to be aged 66, was pulled unconscious from the water about 1.20pm on Monday.
In Kiama, police confirmed a 33-year-old man was snorkelling when he got into difficulties before becoming unconscious.
Several people tried to help the man, who was winched from the water by the NSW Ambulance Rescue helicopter, but he died at the scene.