An off-duty police officer has drowned while trying to save his teenage son from a rip on a beach in far south NSW.
The 45-year-old man died during the brave rescue of his 14-year-old son near Narooma on New Year’s Day.
Surf Life Saving NSW said the man was also caught in a rip at Bogola Beach, which is not patrolled.
An off-duty police officer in his 40s has drowned after trying to save his son from a rip on a beach in Sydney’s south. (new)
Local lifeguards rushed to the beach in an inflatable lifeboat at 1.30pm, but despite CPR, the man could not be saved and died at the scene.
NSW Police Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer, of Nowra police station, said the officer was working in the north-west metropolitan region, which covers much of Sydney’s north and west.
He is understood to reside in Springwood in the Blue Mountains.
Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer said the officer who drowned worked in the North West Metropolitan Region. (new)
The off-duty officer was on a family vacation when he rushed to rescue his son, who was caught in a “substantial” rip in the ocean.
“She was able to push her son out of the skiff, then they took him further out to sea in the skiff,” Hoyer said.
“This is a tragedy that will affect his family, friends and co-workers.
The officer and his son were washed ashore. (new)
Hoyer praised the officer for his actions.
“As a father, a parent and a police officer, I was obviously doing what I was supposed to do,” he said.
Hoyer urged people to swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.
Police said officers from the South Coast Police District will prepare a report for the coroner.
NSW Surf Life Saving said large crowds gathered on the beaches on New Year’s Day.
The drowning is just the latest over the festive period, with several people losing their lives in water-related incidents across the country.