A man drowned at Fairy Meadow’s notoriously dangerous Puckey’s Beach on Tuesday evening.
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The man, believed to be local and aged in his 50s, was swimming alone and was seen floating face down by another beachgoer at around 6pm.
Ambulance NSW Illawarra district officer inspector Terry Morrow said it was thought the man had been in the water for about 15 to 20 minutes before he was dragged out by police and a member of the public.
Paramedics administered CPR at the waters edge about halfway between Stuart Park and Fairy Meadow surf lifesaving club.
By 7pm the man was pronounced dead by a doctor from the ambulance rescue helicopter, which was called to the scene.
“We brought in the ambulance rescue helicopter and the doctor and intensive care paramedics assisted ... but it was unsuccessful,” Insp Morrow said.
The Mercury understands the man swims each afternoon at the same location, which is not a patrolled beach.
How he came into trouble today is not known.
He was pulled from the water about 800 metres from the nearest car park.
Paramedics reached him with the aid of an all-terrain vehicle provided by Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club volunteers.
Intensive car paramedics were airlifted to his side.
The chopper waited at Fairy Meadow Beach Park as resuscitation efforts continued.
Crowds of people gathered at both ends of the beach to watch the unfolding tragedy.
There have been a number of drownings at Puckey’s Beach in recent years, prompting multiple warnings that swimming is not recommended due to strong rips and hidden rock shelves in the area.