Lifesavers are urging people to take care on NSW beaches after two coastal fatalities this week signalled a sad start to the Easter holidays.

At about 12.30pm on Thursday 14 April, the Surf Life Saving NSW State Operations Centre (SOC) was notified by police of a person floating in the water at the Pink Caves near Lake Macquarie.

It appears several people were swept from the rocks by a large wave, with one woman able to get back to safety and a man jumping into the water to attempt to rescue a second female.

Lifeguards on duty at nearby Frazer Park responded to the callout and, once on scene, they conducted CPR on a woman in her 20s.

Sadly she could not be revived.

A short time later, at about 1.15pm, the Surf Life Saving NSW SOC learned of a CPR in progress at the northern end of Elizabeth Beach, south of Forster.

Lifeguards on duty nearby and a volunteer duty officer tried to resuscitate a Gold Coast woman in her 70s, who unfortunately was declared dead by paramedics.

“For two tragic incidents to have occurred virtually at the same time is extremely sad,” Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce said.

“We are grateful for the response from our lifeguards to both resuscitation attempts – and our thoughts are with the families of the victims.

“With people making the most of the good weather and the long weekend, we are expecting beaches to be busy and our volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards will be out in force, doing their utmost to ensure everyone gets home safely.”

Surf club patrols and additional school holiday lifeguard services continue through until Anzac Day.

However, surf lifesaving resources and volunteers are stretched in many locations.

“Our people are tired, it’s been a long season and the impacts of COVID and recent flooding have taken a toll on our clubs and callout teams,” Mr Pearce said.

“We need everyone to take some responsibility for their safety, swim at a patrolled location and please always wear a lifejacket if you are boating or rock fishing.”

For beach safety information, go to www.beachsafe.org.au

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