Wollongong's volunteer lifesavers were kept busy over the Easter break, responding to swimmers caught in rips, a mass jetski rescue, surfing accidents and even a shark sighting as visitors headed to the city's beaches to enjoy the warm weather.
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Two surfers were treated by lifesavers for precautionary spinal injuries in separate incidents in the northern Illawarra, according to Surf Life Saving Illawarra.
A man was rescued from the water at Scarborough/Wombarra after suffering a head and neck injury, while another hurt his back in a surfing accident at nearby Helensburgh/Stanwell Park.
NSW paramedics attended the scene on both occasions and transported the men to hospital for further assessment.
Another two men caught in a rip at Coledale were lucky that off-duty lifesavers who were camping in the area had witnessed the unfolding emergency.
Coledale lifesavers responded on boards, returning them both to shore and providing first aid treatment to one of the men, who scraped his legs on the rocks during the rescue.
Oxygen therapy was administered to him after he swallowed water and was experiencing breathing difficulties.
At unpatrolled McCauleys Beach, members of the public came to the rescue of multiple swimmers caught in a rip, with lifesavers and paramedics attending the scene to provide further assistance.
Lifesavers alerted to a possible shark sighting off Woonona Beach conducted a search of the area, giving the all-clear a short time later after spotting a number of fish bait balls and dolphins but no sharks.
Further south at CIty Beach, a boy was treated for a suspected broken leg, before being taken by ambulance to Wollongong Hospital for further medical assessment.
On Easter Monday, Windang lifesavers were alerted to reports of seven people in the water at the northern entrance break wall.
The incident happened after two jetskis broke down, with one of them tipped on its side and filling with water.
Lifesavers entered the water with rescue boards and an inflatable rescue boat, while nearby surfers helped keep people afloat on boards during the rescue.
All seven people were returned to shore safely to awaiting emergency service crews, however no medical assistance was required.
Both jetskis were towed back to shore by lifesavers.
Surf Life Saving Illawarra counted close to 1000 preventative actions between Stanwell Park and Windang as volunteers warned the public of the risks and dangers of swimming outside the flagged area.
"Thanks to the incredible dedication of volunteer lifesavers in keeping the community safe over the long weekend and over the season," a Surf Life Saving Illawarra spokesperson said.
Volunteer lifesavers patrols conclude on Anzac Day at 5pm.
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