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Man missing off City Beach in Wollongong

BY MEGAN LEVY

09 Mar, 2009 05:40 PM

A large-scale search has been launched off City Beach in Wollongong for a man who went missing during a night-time swim.

The 19-year-old, from Fairfield, was on the beach with six friends about 8.30pm last night when they ventured into the water.

Slideshow: Police launch large-scale search for missing swimmer

They were immediately caught in a rip and, while five of the group returned to the shore, the 19-year-old was heard calling for help from the water.

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"While it was windy and choppy the swell wasn't excessive," Chief Inspector Graeme Donnelly, from Wollongong Police, said.

"They have all gone in and they all felt like they were caught in a rip and taken down the beach. It was about that time they heard the missing person cry out for help."

A police helicopter and lifeguards on jet skis scoured the water, while about 20 police and State Emergency Service officers searched the shoreline throughout the day.

Police divers were also called in from Sydney.

Insp Donnelly said search conditions on the beach were "reasonably good".

"While it's overcast the water is very clear. Pol Air have said that they have got reasonable visibility. We have a small swell and it's breaking on shore," he said.

Insp Donnelly said the man's family had been informed of the situation, and were being assisted by Salvation Army staff.

The search resumed at first light this morning, after an initial search failed to locate the man last night.

Police continued to conduct sweeps along the cliffs throughout the night.

Were you there? Send us an SMS on 0409 011 060 or email us.

For full coverage see Tuesday's Mercury.

RELATED COVERAGE

09 Mar 09:

Swimmer missing off Wollongong beach

10 Mar 09:

Search for man's body off City Beach

comments

Date: Newest first | Oldest first

I was at a wedding function at City Beach last night and saw the mass efforts by Police; the helicopter was circling for at least an hour from what I saw, also saw 2 patrol boats in the water and numerous emergency vehicles parked along the entrances and exits of City Beach.

Posted by eco, 9/03/2009 11:08:22 AM

Way too many people panic in rips. If they dont panic and try and stay calm we'd have alot more people with us today. Very sad.

Posted by G, 9/03/2009 2:06:57 PM

Why do people insist on swimming, especially at night, in waters they have no idea about. The ocean is an unpredictable mistress

Posted by little fry, 9/03/2009 2:16:36 PM

I hate to say it but people come to the coast from the Sydney suburbs and have no idea of the surf - day or night. It is sad that someone may have died but their actions put others at risk, the police and all rescue people, plus the chopper on a misty night like Sunday was.

Posted by Blondie, 9/03/2009 4:30:57 PM

I went down to the beach this morning on my way to school. it was such a sad sight, there were many people looking on who i assumed to be friends and family of the missing. Being 17 it broke my heart to see these 19 yr old boys waiting to see if their friend could be recovered. I stood there and said a silent prayer. There were many people out looking, I can only hope that the boy is found alive.

Posted by schoolgirl., 9/03/2009 5:53:56 PM

A very sad story and hopefully one that many learn from. Don't go in the unpredictable surf at night. It's hard enough in the daytime to save people from a rip let alone at night with little help about exactly when it's needed, Prayers & peace for family & friends.

Posted by local swimmer, 9/03/2009 9:05:27 PM

It is all about education. People need to be informed of the danger. It is not their fault if they do not know the risks. Condolences to this family and friends.

Posted by local , 9/03/2009 10:17:23 PM

What you need to do in a rip situation, is stay calm and just keep floating and let the waves do the job. After some hours it will be easy to get shore.

Posted by Luis, 9/03/2009 11:46:36 PM

In a rip it's hard to saty calm cause u have water coming from every angle at you. I was there that night swimming with my brother who die. I try to help and trust me the current was too strong. if staying calm was wat we had done we would've end up about 300m out in the ocean. the rip in just five minutes took us about 40 - 50m out in the ocean and i brought him to an area where my toes could touch the ground but the current than push us bak again and i try again but the last time it was hard for me and i couldn't breath cause he kept pushing me under and i think at that point he knew and he let go and the last time i saw him was that moment he let go and started fighting to backstroke and was still screaming my name. No one is stupid to swim at night but it's juts that sometimes when you and friends are having fun u never think something like that will happen. So don't be saying crap on how stupid or smart people are. sometimes things just happen.

Posted by Tirtis, 11/03/2009 2:14:20 PM

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