An inflatable life jacket was not enough to save a rock fisherman who slipped off rocks at Windang Island on Saturday night.
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The jacket will be part of an investigation by police from Lake Illawarra Police District who are looking into all circumstances surrounding the incident for the Coroner.
The Sydney man, believed to be aged in his 40’s, was reportedly at the popular fishing spot with his teenage son when he was washed into the ocean around 10pm.
A NSW Police Media spokesman said there were a number of witnesses, while someone tried to throw the man a life ring but he was unable to grab it and drifted further from shore.
The man was eventually located before the helicopter winched the man aboard. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s reported the man was wearing an inflatable life vest though he may not have been able to activate it.
“We offer our condolences to the man’s family and friends as this is a tragic outcome, especially on what is supposed to be a happy holiday break,” Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said.
“The call-out team from the Illawarra did a fantastic job in challenging conditions. Night operations require an extra level of skill and experience.”
Mr Pearce also warned people of the dangers of swimming or fishing after dark as the lack of light adds extra risks in an already unstable environment.
“The ocean can be hazardous at the best of times … it also places our volunteers at significant risk when they go to the aid of someone in trouble at night,” he said.
The incident is the third drowning this year on Illawarra beaches involving people visiting from outside of the region.
On Sundays and public holidays alone, volunteer surf life savers made 332 rescues so far at the Illawarra 17 patrolled beaches (from Windang to Stanwell Park) compared to 209 for last year’s entire season.
Other statistics reported by Surf Life Saving Illawarra include 29 ambulance call-outs compared to 15 last season; 370 first aid cases so far; plus more than 8,000 preventative actions carried out by life savers.
Rock fishers are reminded to wear non-slip footwear and light clothing; a life jacket; monitor the weather and surf conditions; fish with a friend; and never turn their back on the ocean.
Later this year Royal Life Saving NSW will release a more detailed analysis of drowning deaths over summer including at our beaches, waterways and swimming pools.