A British couple visiting Australia drowned at an unpatrolled beach south of Sydney on Wednesday, leaving relatives distressed on nearby sands.
The 66-year-old man and 64-year-old woman were swimming at Shellharbour, 65 miles south of Sydney, when they got into difficulties in the water shortly after 11am, Luke Geradts, an inspector with New South Wales police, said.
Members of the public, including two off-duty nurses, pulled the couple from the water and attempted to resuscitate them. A short time later, paramedics arrived and continued CPR. However, the husband and wife could not be revived and died at the scene.
Police identified the couple as being from the UK. They had recently travelled to Australia to visit family. Their names have yet to be released.
A local newspaper, the Illawarra Mercury, reported that the family of the man and woman watched in tears as emergency crews tried to save them.
A witness told the Press she had been walking along the beach with her friend when the pair came across the emergency services. “It was pretty calm; everyone knew what they were doing,” she said. “It wasn’t a mad panic. Everyone just switched into what they were doing. It puts it all into perspective how quick things can go wrong.”
Geradts commended the efforts of the bystanders. “This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved ones today,” he said. “They’re young people who are upstanding members of our community who did a great job today in trying to give this couple the best chance.”
Tracey Lee, a witness, said she saw the couple being pulled from the water. “The police were here, the emergency services were here and then we heard the helicopter was on the way.” Lee said she knew the beach, describing it as “deceptive”.
Geradts said it was a timely reminder to swim between the flagged zones at patrolled beaches. “If you do get into trouble, you’re going to give yourself the best chance.”
