Lifesavers on the NSW coast had a busy start to the Easter long weekend, with three people including a nine-year-old girl rescued from the sea in dangerous surf conditions.
The Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter was tasked out to two incidents on Friday afternoon, leading their CEO to issue a warning to Canberrans hitting the coast over the Easter break.
A nine-year-old girl and her father had been swimming off North Narrawallee beach at 3pm on Friday when they were swept out by the outgoing tide.
They managed to grab hold of a rocky outcrop at least 20 metres from the shore, but were unable to return to land safely.
RESCUE: Westpac Lifesaver 3 now heading to Mollymook to assist with rescue of swimmers in distress, now on an island. More to come — Westpac Life Saver (@Lifesaverhelo) April 18, 2014
Both were rescued by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter which hovered just above the rocks, allowing the man and his daughter to climb in before they were flown to a nearby carpark.
Earlier in the afternoon, a 60-year-old swimmer from Sydney was saved from drowning by the quick actions of surf lifesaver Anthony Bellette.
Mr Bellette swam out to the man with a tube to keep him afloat, but was unable to return with him to shore due to the rough ocean conditions.
The Westpac Lifesaving Chopper arrived shortly afterwards and winched them both from the surf, before taking the Sydney man to a nearby carpark for treatment by ambulance workers.
Westpac Lifesaver 3 has rescued 60 year old male from Mackenzie's Beach Batemans Bay. Supported by lifesaver until winched by helicopter. — Westpac Life Saver (@Lifesaverhelo) April 18, 2014
Further down the coast, a sailing boat ran aground on a sandbar near Merimbula at about 4.40pm and the three passengers were thrown overboard.
They managed to climb on board and remove the boat from the sandbar before help arrived.
Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Rescue CEO Stephen Leahy said conditions on the coast were particularly dangerous for swimming at the moment.
"It's certainly been a busy afternoon," he said. "While the conditions are fine and sunny, the surf conditions have been very dangerous and they will continue to exist for at least another 24 hours.
"Over the next few days, Canberrans should go down, enjoy the coast, but be aware that conditions in the water are quite dangerous.
"There are a lot of rips at the moment, some of the swell is deceptive and there's a lot of power in that."
