Surfers Rescued Victim's Teen Sons
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday December 13, 2008
SURFERS attempted to save a Sydney father who died after he went to the aid of his two teenage sons in heavy surf on the South Coast.
A 50-year-old Concord West man dived into the water to help his two sons, aged 17 and 19, who had "got into serious difficulties" at Mollymook, near Ulladulla, about 4.30pm on Thursday, police said.The two teenagers managed to make it to shore safely with the help of local surfers, but their father got into trouble. Surfers pulled the man from the water, but he could not be revived by police and ambulance crews. Police said other family members on the beach contacted emergency services. "Two surfers came to assist the three males in the water. As a result, the youths made it back to shore safely, as emergency services arrived at the scene," NSW police said. A police spokesman said it was not known whether the man had drowned, or suffered a heart attack. A report will be prepared for the coroner. The drowning comes just three weeks after the death of Shane O'Neill and his two young sons at Tathra, also on the South Coast. Mr O'Neill dived into dark waters and tried in vain to save his sons Riley and Travis when they fell from a wharf while fishing. Thursday's drowning is a reminder about water safety, NSW Premier Nathan Rees says.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury