Teen dies trying to rescue swimmers

The boy entered water at Woodbine Beach to help a mother and her son in distress

A teenage boy has died after trying to help a mother and son in distress at Woodbine Beach, police say.

A mother and son had gone into the water at the west end of the beach, which is populated by rocks and buoys. They subsequently became uncomfort- able, police said.

They called for help and multiple people entered the water to aid them.

Emergency services, including police, fire services, paramedics, and the coast guard, were called about 2:40 p.m. on Friday, and several people had to be helped out of the water.

The teen boy was one of the people who went into the water, where he was subsequently injured and found without vital signs.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A woman was also found injured, and taken to a local hospital.

Two others were assessed at the scene, paramedics said.

Police believe the strong undertow and rocks present a severe danger at the west end of the beach, and emphasise that only the strongest swimmers should attempt to enter the water.

Officials called off the search around 4 p.m. after all beachgoers were accounted for.

Police had earlier roped off a sizable portion of the beach with yellow tape.

From the beach, at least13 people could be seen on the water searching, including at least six boats and a helicopter.

Jeremy Campbell heard what had happened and rushed to the beach. He saw two people pulled from the water and taken away in ambulances.

“There were two people I saw on shore,” he said, “one which was having CPR performed on them.”