Three people died in separate drownings at unpatrolled beaches in New South Wales over the weekend.
Three brothers believed to be in their 20s were pulled from the water at Saltwater Beach, 18 kilometres south-east of Taree, on the Mid North Coast just before 2pm yesterday, but one could not be revived.
NSW Police Acting Inspector Wes Taylor said the situation was "confronting for all involved".
According to the National Drowning Report, compiled by Royal Lifesaving and Surf Lifesaving Australia, the number of drowning deaths across NSW declined in the 2025-26 reporting period, but the figures still remain 9 per cent above the 10-year average.
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Three people died in separate drownings at unpatrolled beaches in New South Wales over the weekend.
The incidents occurred at Stockton, near Newcastle, Saltwater on the Mid North Coast and Cabarita on the Tweed Coast.
Three brothers believed to be in their 20s were pulled from the water at Saltwater Beach, 18 kilometres south-east of Taree, on the Mid North Coast just before 2pm yesterday, but one could not be revived.
Hours later at the northern end of Stockton Beach, near Newcastle, another three men also in their 20s were pulled from the water by members of the public after getting caught in a rip.
NSW Police Acting Inspector Wes Taylor said the situation was "confronting for all involved".
The three drownings come amid a warm start to spring, which has seen beachgoers take to the water well ahead of the official surf lifesaving patrol season, scheduled to start on September 26.
According to the National Drowning Report, compiled by Royal Lifesaving and Surf Lifesaving Australia, the number of drowning deaths across NSW declined in the 2025-26 reporting period, but the figures still remain 9 per cent above the 10-year average.
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