Raging waves hamper search
SYDNEY-BASED police divers will this morning help the search for an international backpacker believed drowned in northern NSW yesterday afternoon.
The 25-year-old was swimming with a friend about 3pm (NSW time) at the unpatrolled Dreamtime Beach on the southern end of Fingal Head.
The search was stopped at 7.30 local time last night because of bad light and dangerous conditions, including shark sightings.
Tweed Byron Police District Superintendent Wayne Starling said emergency services had to postpone their retrieval of the man, whose body was close to dangerous rocks at the headland.
He described conditions in the water as “atrocious” and said rescuers were unable to use the helicopter near the headland or get a jet ski close enough to the man’s body to safely retrieve him.
“We can’t use a helicopter because of the conditions,” he said.
“It’s all whitewater so it’s too dangerous and shallow to put someone in there.
“The jetski can’t get close enough.”
While one witness said the man was swept off the headland, authorities say he and his friend were swimming in the water.
They said the second man swam to shore.
The backpackers were living and working in northern NSW.
Witness Dan Merkel, taking photos of the wild conditions on his camera, said he “noticed two boys on the headland but they really caught my attention when one of them fell in”.
THE WAVES WOULD HAVE BASHED HIM INTO THE ROCKS AND PUSHED HIM UNDER
“The other guy put both of his hands on his head and was jumping around,” he said.
Mr Merkel compared the turbulent conditions to a “washing machine”.
“The waves would have bashed him into the rocks and pushed him under,” he said.
“I didn’t see him after he fell in.
“I tried to take photos but the waves were enormous.”