The coastal and ocean drowning toll for the season climbed by two on Wednesday 11 March as Surf Life Saving assets responded to an incident at Shellharbour.
At approximately 11.15am the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was advised that two people had been pulled from the water at Shellharbour Beach, just south of Wollongong and that neither person was breathing or conscious.
The incident occurred away from the red and yellow flags and lifesaving assets. Conditions were described as choppy with significant onshore winds.
Members of the public began providing CPR as Council lifeguards arrived on scene. A Surf Life Saving NSW Duty Officer was also tasked.
The pair are reportedly a male and female in their 60s, and they were declared deceased at the scene.
Since 1 July 2025 there have been 43 coastal drownings in NSW with 19 recorded over the summer months.
“This is the sixth drowning since 1 March, the second double drowning in four days, and the third and fourth drowning on the South Coast since the start of the month as well,” SLSNSW CEO, Steve Pearce said.
“This is an absolute tragedy and we can only reiterate how important it is to swim between the flags at patrolled locations, particularly when conditions are not conducive to swimming.
“I am reminding the public that while summer is over, it is still very warm across the coastline and the safest place to swim and cool off is where our volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards can see you.”
