Tag Archives: oceania

headline

Man dies after rock fishing accident near Wollongong

A man has died after a rock fishing accident near Wollongong, south of Sydney.

Emergency services were called to Windang Island just before 1pm after they were told a 21-year-old man had been swept into the ocean.

Police and NSW Surf Lifesavers conducted an extensive search on the water, while the Toll Ambulance helicopter conducted aerial searches.

READ MORE: Seven-year-old boy and man drown in separate Victorian incidents

A man has died after a rock fishing accident near Wollongong, south of Sydney.

The body of the rock fisherman was found at about 1.20pm, before being winched from the water by the Toll Ambulance helicopter and returned to shore by water police.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Several other people have drowned in waterways across New South Wales in recent days, including another rock fisherman at Turimetta Beach in Warriewood, a 15-year-old boy at Shoalhaven River in Burrier, and an 18-year-old man in the Murray River at Albury.

Marine Area Commander Superintendent Murray Reynolds said police will continue to do everything in their power to keep people safe on the water.

READ MORE: Prime Minister monitoring for COVID-19 symptom after positive case at Kirribilli House

"The most difficult part of our work is when someone dies or is seriously injured and we know it could have been prevented," said Superintendent Reynolds.

"These deaths are incredibly tragic.

"Our heart goes out to the loved ones of the people who recently lost their lives in the water."

headline

Seven-year-old boy and man drown in separate Victorian incidents

A seven-year-old boy and 35-year-old man have died in two separate suspected drowning incidents across Victoria.

The young boy had been swimming with a group in the Snowy River in Jarrahmond, in the state's south-east, on New Year's Day when he got into difficulty and slipped below the surface before 6pm.

Police and the State Emergency Service searched for the boy into the night but failed to locate him.

READ MORE: Victoria records 7172 new COVID-19 cases

A body believed to belong to the missing child was found this morning.

Emergency services were contacted a short time later after three swimmers got into difficulty in rough waters near the mouth of the Gellibrand River about 10.40am.

Two men in a private helicopter assisted in the rescue of the three swimmers.

They landed their aircraft and started CPR on a 35-year-old man but he could not be revived.

READ MORE: Tropical cyclone Seth whips up hazardous surf

Reports will be prepared for the coroner.

Water safety has become a significant concern across the country over the holiday periods, with a spate of drownings.

The body of a 17-year-old girl was pulled from Murray River in South Australia after she fell from a houseboat on New Year's Eve.

The body of a 15-year-old boy has also been recovered in the Shoalhaven River west of Nowra, New South Wales, after he went missing on New Year's Eve.

A man's body has also been found inside a submerged car in Port Stephens, New South Wales.

headline

Tropical cyclone Seth whips up hazardous surf

A severe weather warning has been issued for south east Queensland and northern New South Wales as tropical cyclone Seth whips up abnormally wild tides.

The category one cyclone is currently sitting approximately 630 kilometres off the coast of Hervey Bay and is tracking south at 41 kilometres per hour.

While it is not predicted to make landfall, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has warned of abnormally high tides and hazardous surf.

READ MORE: Queensland records 3587 new COVID-19 cases

READ MORE: NSW could hit 100k daily COVID-19 cases within weeks

Areas that may be affected include the Gold Coast, Maroochydore, Coolangatta, Moreton Island, Noosa Heads, Caloundra, North Stradbroke Island, Rainbow Beach and Redcliffe.

Tropical cyclone Seth is expected to slow down and turn to the south west this afternoon, heading toward the coast.

"Cyclones are unpredictable and we are monitoring this one very closely," Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy said today.

READ MORE: Boy, 14, charged with murder of teen in Cairns

https://twitter.com/BOM_Qld/status/1477453917705408520

"What we are expecting to see is very high tides on the coast in our low-lying areas, potentially some flooding as a result of those high tides, and some severe weather action on the coast with respect to waves and damaging surf."

Mr Chelepy warned beachgoers to be mindful of the high-tides and potential rips.

"As always, our disaster management systems stand ready to support Queensland if that cyclone should take an unexpected turn," he said.

Waves of up to three metres have been predicted.

The following beaches on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts have already been closed:

  • Alexandra Headland
  • Burleigh Heads
  • Mowbray Park
  • Broadbeach
  • Coolangatta
  • Coolum Beach
  • Currumbin
  • Dicky Beach
  • Kawana Waters
  • Kurrawa
  • Marcoola
  • Maroochydore
  • Miami Beach
  • Mooloolaba
  • Mudjimba
  • North Burleigh
  • North Kirra
  • Nobbys Beach
  • Noosa
  • Northcliffe
  • Palm Beach
  • Rainbow Bay
  • Southport
  • Sunshine Beach
  • Surfers Paradise
  • Tugun
  • Coolum North
  • Mooloolaba Spit
  • Peregian Beach
  • Yaroomba
  • Maroochydore River

Surf Life Saving Queensland have pleaded with holidaymakers and locals to steer clear of closed stretches of coastline.

"Please follow lifesavers and lifeguards' advice by not swimming at a closed beach."

https://twitter.com/lifesavingqld/status/1477432425210777601

Residents are warned not to drive into floodwaters if water levels do rise.

"We saw some really unnecessary deaths last year as a result of that and we would like to start the New Year in a more responsible and healthy way," Mr Chelepy said.

Tropical cyclone Seth is predicted to lose its severity to a subtropical cyclone by Monday.

headline

South Australia records 2298 COVID-19 cases

South Australia has recorded 2298 COVID-19 cases overnight as the state moves to restrict elective surgery to prepare for more hospitalisations.

Premier Steven Marshall said there are currently 82 people being treated in South Australian hospitals for the virus, with seven in intensive care.

Mr Marshall said the current hospitalisation rate was still within capacity for South Australia's health system, but the government will suspend some elective surgeries to free up resources.

READ MORE: Infant who tested positive for COVID-19 dies in South Australia

READ MORE: The 'disappointing' act costing charities thousands of dollars

Yesterday more than 21,000 South Australians came forward to be tested for COVID-19, while far fewer vaccines were administered.

Mr Marshall said the state is closely watching hospitalisations linked to the virus, with a significant number of COVID-positive residents recovering at home.

"The vast majority of people who are Covid positive in South Australia are being looked after by our response team who are treating them in their own homes," Mr Marshall said.

He also said the current number of active cases in South Australian prison populations is now at 60.

headline

Boy, 14, charged with murder of teen in Cairns

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a 17-year-old was allegedly stabbed to death in Cairns.

Police were called to an altercation involving a number of people at an address in Lychee Close, Manoora around 1am today but the victim had already been taken to Cairns Hospital.

The 17-year-old from Mooroobool had suffered serious stab wounds, according to police, and died in hospital.

READ MORE: Queensland records 3587 new COVID-19 cases

READ MORE: Man's body found in car near Port Stephens boat ramp

Another 17-year-old also presented at the hospital with non-life threatening stab wounds.

Police launched an investigation and a 14-year-old was charged with murder.

The boy from Edmonton has been denied bail.

He is set to appear in Cairns Children's Court tomorrow.