In one hour two surfers die on Mid North Coast

Kerrin Thomas and Leah White
Swellnet Dispatch

In a tragic Easter weekend on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, two surfers have died in separate incidents about 150 kilometres apart.

Both were pulled unconscious from the ocean within an hour of each other on Sunday afternoon. 

In the first incident, a 64-year-old man is believed to have had a medical incident and was pulled from the water at Killick Beach at Hat Head, north of Port Macquarie, at about 4pm.

Other surfers and people on the beach conducted CPR until police and paramedics arrived but he was unable to be revived and died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted this week to determine the cause of death and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Less than an hour later, the region's rescue helicopter pulled an unconscious man from the surf at Minnie Water, about 150km further north.

The 48-year-old was taken to shore where CPR was performed but he too was declared dead at the scene.

Witnesses have been spoken to by police and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Chris Samuels from Surf Life Saving NSW said the events were saddening and urged people to only swim at patrolled beaches.

"Two people [have died] in such a short amount of time," he said.

"Our thoughts go out to family and friends and the volunteers who have assisted with that.

"We just strongly urge people to always swim between the red and yellow flags, there's always a set of eyes watching you then."

© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.

Comments

views from the cockpit's picture
views from the cockpit's picture
views from the ... Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 12:08pm

Surfers or swimmers?

dazzler's picture
dazzler's picture
dazzler Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 1:19pm

Very experienced surfer at Minnie Water, loved by everyone.

RIP mate we will miss you.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 2:30pm

Commiserations to friends, family and loved ones of the departed surfers.

Anyone know if they were the result of surfing accident or health related?

dazzler's picture
dazzler's picture
dazzler Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 3:24pm

Accident at Minnie Waters, life long surfer.

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 2:25pm

Very sad. Condolences to all those affected.

Panman's picture
Panman's picture
Panman Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 3:17pm

Another two brothers lost
Ride those eternal offshore reefs

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 3:29pm

Sad news. Sincere condolences to both families and friends.

RIP gents.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 6:15pm

Coulda been anyone .
RIP to the surfers.
Lots of heartache for friends and family left behind.
Cheers to the people who tried to save their lives.

D-Rex's picture
D-Rex's picture
D-Rex Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 7:39pm

Life is precious - make sure you tell your family you love them whenever you can, you don't know what tomorrow will bring.

bipola's picture
bipola's picture
bipola Monday, 5 Apr 2021 at 9:25pm

R.I.P. boys

Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw's picture
Ray Shirlaw Tuesday, 6 Apr 2021 at 9:07am

Accident@ Minnie waters? What sort of accident?

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 6 Apr 2021 at 11:43am

Very sad, Many drownings over Floods & Easter...
East Oz Floods 3 drown + 1 missing +
2 -Surf incidents
Saturday (pm) 27th March : Coffs Bodyboarder in 60's (Search)
Sunday (pm) 28th March : Coolum Beach 21y'o caught in a rip (29th pm body retrieved)

SEQ Floods Easter Back wash
Friday (am) 2nd April : Gold Coast 58 y'o slipped off back off house boat & drown.

Easter Drownings 20x higher! (See Main Story)
https://www.lakesentrancesurflifesaving.org.au/index.php/news/surfblog/3....

Twistin' by the Pool is a Gas...(Warning! ACA Alarm)

Spate of Easter Chemical Warfare episodes is insane ...lets hope this is the end of the fear factor.
Impossible how these Easter revellers survived the weekend...best wishes

1st April : NZ Pool "Chlorine Chemical Warfare" 11 kidz in Hospital (2nd in 18 mths + a few days ago)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124738198/second-time-children-needed-c...

1st April : Newcastle -"Chemical Warfare" 7 Ambos treated 11 sufferers.
https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2021/04/01/chemical-scare-in-newcastle/

3rd April : Victoria Pool - "Chlorine Chemical Warfare" 21 affected > 3 rushed to Hospital.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9432051/Chlorine-leak-Apollo-Ba...

4th April : Opera House : Gas Leak Evacuation > 20 Firefighters in Hazmat suits.
https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/sydney-opera-house-evacuated-du...

5th April : Sydney Pool "Hydrochloric Chemical Warfare" 150+ Evacuation 4 rushed to Hospital
https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-hurstville-aquatic-centre-evacu...

5th April: Hawkesbury Marina Fuel Explosion > 4 in Hospital
https://www.9news.com.au/national/hawkesbury-river-boat-explodes-eight-i...

Here on the Goldie the Easter Rain hasn't stopped, nor does it look like lettin' up... Keep Safe!