A courageous police officer who faced daunting waves to rescue a distressed young swimmer on New Year’s Day has received commendations from his peers for his daring actions. The officer plunged into the surf, fully dressed, in an attempt to save the swimmer.
Emergency responders arrived at Coogee Beach, located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, around 6 a.m. on Thursday following reports of a swimmer, believed to be in his 20s, struggling in the ocean.
Television footage captured the moment NSW Police Constable Lucas Matthews, clad in his complete uniform, dashed into the turbulent waters with a flotation device, joining two off-duty lifesavers trying to reach the endangered swimmer.
Sadly, despite their efforts, the swimmer vanished shortly after the rescue attempt began. By early Thursday afternoon, police announced that adverse weather conditions had forced a temporary halt to the search operation.
Chief Inspector Chris Whalley addressed the media, stating, “Even though Constable Matthews wasn’t a trained lifesaver, he courageously took a flotation device to assist in the rescue, alongside off-duty lifesavers.”
“This act exemplifies the dedication of NSW Police across the state. They consistently respond to emergencies, risking their own safety to assist others in peril,” he added.
Paramedics earlier this morning treated some onlookers for shock, with men and women seen hugging on the shoreline.
The missing swimmer was one of four people who decided to brave the rough conditions at Coogee for a New Year’s Day swim.
NSW Police Constable Lucas Matthews is seen running into the giant swell at Coogee Beach, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, fully clothed. He has been praised by colleagues and surf life savers for his efforts
The hero cop is seen after he charged into the surf at Coogee Beach in his full uniform
Constable Matthews was given a blanket following his heroic dash into the surf at Coogee
A helicopter is seen over the eastern suburbs coast after two tragedies unfolded overnight
Police officers are seen speaking to beach-goers at Coogee on Thursday
An urgent search has been launched for a man missing at Coogee Beach
‘Due to the large surf, they were swept out in a very big rip and got swept off their feet. They tried to make their way back to shore and required assistance,’ Coogee Lifesaving Club president Ben Heenan said.
‘An off-duty police officer and two off-duty surf lifesavers went in and provided that assistance. Three of them were able to make it back to shore, unfortunately, one was unable to return.’
The drama unfolded only two hours after a separate deadly drowning incident at nearby Maroubra Beach, less than three kilometres away.
Around 4am, a 25-year-old woman was swept out to sea when a powerful wave knocked her from a tidal rock pool and dragged her into the ocean.
Her body was recovered about an hour later during an extensive search involving PolAir helicopters and Marine Area Command.
The body is yet to be formally identified, but police believe it is the missing woman.
Authorities are urging Aussies to stay away from Sydney’s beaches on Thursday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the coastline, advising swimmers to keep out of the water and avoid surf-exposed areas.
Revellers are seen at Coogee Beach, where a search is underway for a missing swimmer
A crowd gathered at Coogee as a search was launched for a man believed to be aged in his 20s
Similar warnings are in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts, with treacherous conditions expected throughout New Year’s Day.
‘People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas,’ the warning said.
Rock fishers are being told to seek safer platforms, while boaties are warned against crossing shallow bars due to the ongoing risk.
Northern Beaches surf lifesaving co-ordinator Steve Downman said Sydney beaches were being pounded by ‘walls of white water’ and powerful waves.
‘Heading to the beach today is definitely not a good idea, most beaches will be closed,’ he told ABC Sydney Radio.
The Maroubra rock pool is pictured where a young woman was swept into the ocean is pictured
‘We’re expecting waves up to two and a half to three metres, extremely large and dangerous.’
The incidents in Sydney’s east comes just a day after a man was killed at Palm Beach when his small boat capsized in massive swell and smashed onto rocks.
A frantic search has resumed for a 14-year-old boy who was onboard and remains missing on Thursday.
Another man from the vessel was found clinging to a rock platform about 25 metres from the overturned boat, suffering severe injuries to his left leg.
He was winched to safety by a rescue helicopter and lowered onto a clearing near the foreshore car park for urgent treatment.
