Daily beach report
North Coast lifeguard co-ordinator Stephen Leahy reports on a busy day on North Coast beaches …
Despite the reasonably easy conditions today, there were a number of incidents along the northern NSW coast that kept lifeguards busy (see below). It was a warm and humid day with lots of sun, making sure that beaches saw good crowds. Waves were around half to one metre and there were numerous rips. Water quality is getting better every day in the far north.
We’re watching the weather pattern and it is possible that surf conditions will become dangerous over the next 24 hours. There is a strong wind warning current for the region.
INCIDENTS:
There were 24 rescues along the northern NSW coast today, with 8 of these at Crescent Head, 6 people were rescued during the day at Lennox Head, 3 rescues were at Evans Head beach, another 3 people were rescued at Hat Head, 2 at Fingal and one rescue at Byron’s main beach and Iluka.
There was a total of 955 preventative actions today – a very big number indeed considering the conditions. Most of these warnings were given to swimmers who were in dangerous locations. There were 17 first aid treatments.
In one of these rescues, an 87-year-old local male was rescued at Crescent Head (Kempsey Shire) after he was went too far into deep water outside the flags. Lifeguards quickly rescued the man after he was swept more than 100 metres out to sea. The man, weak with exhaustion, was returned to shore and stabilised by the lifeguard team before being released.
Lifeguards at Hat Head (Kempsey Shire) treated a 14-year-old male for a suspected broken leg after he was injured when he was dumped in the surf.
Fingal Beach, in the Tweed Shire, was closed for a short period at 1.30 pm after a shark sighting. The rescue jet ski from Duranbah was called in and was used to shepherd the shark out to sea.
Lifeguards from Byron Shire were called to assist a dive boat which overturned in deep water at Julian Rocks, approximately 3 kilometres off the mainland at around 12.30 pm.
More than 20 people were thrown into the water during the accident. Lifeguards on board the Byron Shire rescue jet ski quickly responded and were able to assist the dive group as a second boat was bringing the divers back to shore.
Lifeguards at The Pass treated several patients for cuts and lacerations and one female was treated for a possible head injury and a suspected broken leg. This female was transferred to Byron Hospital by ambulance.
The rescue jet ski then proceeded out to Julian Rocks to confirm that there were no further persons in the water. Whilst there, the lifeguard was advised of a diver suffering sea sickness on another vessel. The rescue jet ski team brought this person back to The Pass where lifeguards stabilised the patient before releasing him. (The overturned vessel was later towed back to shore.)
Tomorrow’s Forecast:
Scattered showers. Moderate to fresh south to south-east winds, gusty on the coast. Dangerous surf conditions developing with swell breaking dangerously, close inshore. Expected maximum of 26 degrees.
