A missing swimmer was discovered at Penrith Beach, days after the newly opened beach welcomed its first visitors.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a man in his 30s entered the water with a paddleboard and failed to resurface.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The New South Wales Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Emergency services were called to Penrith Beach just after 2:30pm, leading to an extensive four-hour search operation.
Witnesses reported the man going underwater, and his lifeless body was found later by the responding crews.
The victim is yet to be formally identified, but authorities believe it is the missing swimmer.
A thorough report will be prepared for the coroner to investigate the incident’s circumstances.
Penrith Beach, a recently constructed addition to Penrith Lakes, opened to the public just last week.
This event marks the third drowning on New South Wales beaches since Christmas Day.
On Monday, two separate incidents on the Central Coast claimed the lives of two men.
An older man, described as being in his 80s, was found unconscious at Copacabana and succumbed to the ordeal despite lifesaving efforts.
In another tragic incident at Umina Beach, a surfer lost his life after being pulled from the water, believed to have suffered a medical episode.
Authorities have urged beachgoers to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines during the holiday season.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.