“Horrid” 24 Hours On NSW Coast Following Two Separate Drownings

Surf Life Saving has described New South Wales as a “horrid 24 hours” following the deaths of two women by drownings.

On Thursday morning around 7:30am, a woman in her twenties was pulled from the water at Tallows Beach unconscious.

Paramedics performed CPR, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, bringing the summer drowning toll for the state to 11.

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It follows the death of a 32-year-old woman at Shelly Beach in Manly just before 1pm on Wednesday.

The woman, believed to be visiting from South Korea on her honeymoon, was pulled from the water by bystanders with the help of her husband.

Despite efforts from paramedics, the woman died at the scene.

Police are preparing a report on behalf of the coroner.

Surf Life Saving chief executive Steve Pearce described the incidents as a “devastating 24 hours for New South Wales” and said the women’s deaths served as a warning to people heading to the beach.

Every coastal drowning is a tragedy, but to have two in such a short space of time is a tough reflection on how risky it can be to enter the water,” he said.

“Once again, both of these drownings have occurred at unpatrolled locations and we really must reiterate that if you plan to visit the coastline, the safest thing you can do is head to a beach where you see the red and yellow flags flying.”

Surf Live Saving said women are usually underrepresented in coastal drowning deaths, with the latest report from NSW coastal safety revealing 83 per cent of drownings involve men.

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