Emergency services have suspended separate search operations for a teenage boy and a male swimmer off Sydney’s coastline, as Australia endures a deadly New Year period marked by a spate of drownings and water-related tragedies at beaches nationwide.
New South Wales Police confirmed on Sunday afternoon that search and rescue efforts had been suspended for a 16-year-old boy missing after a boat capsized off Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve. The teenager was one of three passengers aboard the vessel, which overturned near Barrenjoey Headland shortly before midday on December 31.
Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 11.35am following reports of the capsize. A 47-year-old man was pulled from the water by surf lifesavers and treated by paramedics, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, a 45-year-old man, managed to climb onto nearby rocks and was later winched to safety by a Toll Ambulance helicopter. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A major four-day search operation was launched for the missing teenager, involving police, surf lifesavers, marine rescue crews and aircraft. Despite extensive efforts, authorities said no trace of the boy had been found. Police also clarified that the teenager had previously been incorrectly described as being 14 years old.
In a separate incident, police have also suspended the search for a 22-year-old man who went missing at Coogee Beach on New Year’s Day. The man has been identified as Sushan Khadka, who was last seen struggling in the water amid large surf conditions.
Police said extensive land and water-based searches had failed to locate Mr Khadka. Coogee Surf Life Saving Club president Ben Heenan said last week that several swimmers had been knocked off their feet and dragged out to sea by a powerful rip.
“Three of them were able to make it back to shore,” Mr Heenan said. “Unfortunately, one was unable to return. We immediately commenced a search.”
While the active search operations have been suspended, police said marine patrols would continue in the Palm Beach area, and land patrols would remain in place around Coogee Beach.
The suspensions come amid growing concern over the number of beach deaths during the New Year period. At least six people have died at beaches across Australia in recent days, with authorities repeatedly warning of dangerous surf conditions.
On Saturday, a 34-year-old man drowned at Green Patch Beach in Jervis Bay on the New South Wales south coast. Emergency services were called just before 5pm after reports that multiple people were struggling to stay afloat in rough seas. The man was brought back to shore, where first responders attempted to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
On Friday, police said a man believed to be in his 50s was pulled from the water at Lobster Bay Beach in Shoalhaven. Despite treatment by paramedics, he also died at the scene.
Earlier, a 25-year-old woman was found dead about 5am on New Year’s Day after being swept into the ocean at Maroubra Beach, despite warnings about hazardous surf conditions. Hours later, a 45-year-old woman, Melissa Austin, died at Dunbogan Beach near Port Macquarie. Police said officers responded to reports she was struggling in the water shortly before 3pm. Ms Austin, a mother of two, operated a salon in Berowra, north of Sydney.
In Queensland, a 35-year-old Irish man died at Whitehaven Beach near the Great Barrier Reef on New Year’s Eve after being found unresponsive in the water.
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, a search for a 32-year-old man reported missing while snorkelling at Ledge Point, north of Perth, has been scaled back.
Royal Life Saving Australia reported that the national summer drowning toll since December 1 had reached 29 by Saturday, renewing calls for beachgoers to heed safety warnings, swim between the flags, and avoid entering the water during dangerous conditions.
