A British married couple drowned at a popular beach on the coast of New South Wales, Australia.
He was swimming at Shellharbour Beach, 70 miles (114 km) south of Sydney, when he got into trouble shortly after 11am (local time) on Wednesday.
A 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were pulled from the water by members of the public who performed CPR before paramedics arrived.
Despite their efforts, the pair could not be revived and died at the scene, NSW Police said.
The couple were visiting family in the Illawarra region.
Inspector Luke Gerradts said some of the couple’s relatives were with them on the beach.
“It’s a timely reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of the sea,” he said.
“This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones today.”
Inspector Gerradts praised the actions of two off-duty nurses and the young man who ran to the couple’s rescue, rescued them from the water and gave them the “best chance of survival”.
“Despite the tragic result today, their effort needs to be appreciated,” he said.
He said conditions in the surf were “rough” and police believed the couple was caught in a rip current.
“We really want to encourage people to swim between the flags… because it gives you a better chance if you get into trouble,” he said.
“Every time we go to one of these events, a family has lost a loved one, and it’s very difficult for a family to lose a loved one,” he said.
A report on the couple’s death will be prepared for the coroner.
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the families of two British nationals who died in New South Wales and are in contact with local authorities.”
Deaths have occurred due to drowning AustraliaAccording to Surf Life Saving Australia, 50 were recorded in coastal waters during the summer between 1 December and 2 March.
