BLOWHOLE TRAGEDY

Second death at blowhole this year

A CHRISTMAS holiday has turned tragic for a NSW family after a teenager died near the notorious blowhole at Blackmans Bay.

Sydneysider Alexander Vincent, 18, was killed in a freak accident, possibly involving parkour, during an afternoon walk on Thursday.

It was less than a year ago that Margaret Lore, 17, fell to her death from the cliffs above the blowhole, raising questions about the area’s safety.

But police said Mr Vincent was walking along the shoreline below the blowhole when he appeared to have attempted a 5m jump between rocks.

Insp David Wiss said the teen had an interest in parkour, which involves traversing obstacles in athletic fashion.

“Whether or not he was involved in that activity or whether he slipped and fell at the blowhole itself, it’s very difficult to determine,” he said.

“We may never know exactly what happened in those final few minutes. This is an absolute tragedy and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this sad time.”

Mr Vincent and his family were in Tasmania to visit relatives in the area.

Police said he decided to walk alone along the shoreline from Boronia Beach to Blackmans Bay about 2.30pm on Thursday. His family raised the alarm when he failed to return.

Police launched an extensive land and sea search in response.

After speaking to youths swimming in the blowhole, police recovered a jacket belonging to Mr Vincent.

Divers recovered his body about 10.30pm.

Forensic officers were on the scene yesterday trying to determine what had gone wrong. Insp Wiss ruled out a cliff fall.

“The man was walking along the water’s edge along the rocky foreshore there. He entered the blowhole. It’s only conjecture at this stage how he entered there,” he said.

Insp Wiss said the area where the accident occurred was not a place that could be fenced off.

“It’s just a natural part of the foreshore where people are always going to have access to,” he said.

“It’s a distance from the cliffs.”

Following Miss Lore’s death in January, locals called for better fencing and warning signs around the cliff area.

No improvements appear to have been made, with parts of the current fence still able to be stepped over.

But someone has placed a handmade sign, as well as a memorial for Miss Lore, warning about the danger in the area.

A report into Mr Vincent’s death is being prepared for the coroner.