Paul Newman
·Chief Sub Editor
Updated ·3-min read
One man has died, others have had near escapes and beachgoers have had to scramble for safety as huge swells pounded the NSW coast for the beginning of the Easter long weekend on Friday.
Ex-tropical cyclone Tam which has wreaked havoc on New Zealand’s North Island has transitioned into a deep low pressure system, driving southerly winds and powerful waves along the entire NSW coast. A four-metre swell hammered Sydney’s beaches on Friday causing dangerous but spectacular beach conditions. Nearly all surf beaches in the state were closed.
Fisherman dies in big swell at Wollongong
At Wollongong Harbour early on Friday morning a 58-year-old man was pulled from the water unconscious after he was swept off the rocks while fishing from a nearby rock wall. He was unable to be revived, NSW Police advised. It follows a man drowning at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast on Wednesday.
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Also on Friday a man was swept off the rocks near Nobby’s lighthouse at the Newcastle breakwall at about 11am on Friday, NSW Police told Yahoo News. A rescue helicopter joined a multi-agency rescue effort and the man was retrieved from the surf. "He was treated by ambulance officers for a chest injury," a NSW police spokesperson said.
With some experienced surfers daring to take on the huge waves, Easter crowds took to vantage points to watch the spectacle.
Spectators watching huge surf caught out by rogue wave
Dee Why Point on Sydney’s Northern Beaches attracted hundreds of spectators but many were caught out by waves spilling over the pool and onto the footpath. The video above shared by Manly Observer shows a man knocked down by rushing water on the footpath next to Dee Why ocean pool. He was carried 50 metres before scrambling to his feet. A woman nearby was also knocked down by the water and appeared to be injured as lifesavers went to her aid.
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A photographer on the scene Tim Marshall said the cyclonic swell and warm holiday weather had created the "perfect storm" putting lifeguards and lifesavers on alert. He had a stern message for thrill-seekers getting too close to the action. "Don't be a douchebag and risk their lives by risking yours," he posted on his Instagram page.
Three people drown in horror start to Easter weekend
The Easter weather forecast for every state
Bondi lifeguards call for common sense during huge swells
Large swells will continue over the weekend with most beaches likely to remain closed on Saturday. The swell will drop on Sunday and the Bureau of Meteorology says the low pressure system will continue to move towards New Zealand. But a cold front will also approach the coast from the west, and a low pressure system will develop in its wake bringing an increase in surf again from Tuesday.
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