Rock fisherman dies at dangerous headland on Central Coast

A man has died after a wave swept him into the ocean while rock fishing on a notoriously dangerous part of the Central Coast, between Sydney and Newcastle.

Rescuers were called to Frazer Park within the Munmorah State Conservation Area about 1.20pm on Saturday after reports a fisherman had been swept into the surf.

Three friends had been fishing off Snapper Point, north of Frazer Park beach and near a secluded campground.

Two of the men were fishing off a higher platform when the third, a 41-year-old man, was knocked off a lower platform by a wave.

The man was wearing a flotation device around his torso, but no life jacket, a police spokesperson said. He clung to an Esky to stay afloat.

One of his friends entered the water to try to save him but was unsuccessful. He was picked up by a passing boat and taken to Swansea RSL Club, uninjured.

After 10 to 15 minutes, the man had let go of the Esky and was seen floating face-up in the surf, the spokesperson said.

A paramedic on the Westpac Rescue helicopter winched down and retrieved the man’s body. The paramedics attempted CPR, but he could not be saved.

Police, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW also took part in rescue efforts. Police are investigating the incident and preparing a report for the coroner.

Central Coast councillor Jared Wright said the community was grateful to the rescuers and members of the public who acted quickly to help the three fishers.

“Sadly, this is another tragic drowning that has occurred on the Central Coast this year and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time,” Wright said.

Two rock fishers drowned at Little Beach in Bouddi National Park, also on the Central Coast, in March.

Wright said 160 people had attended a rock fishing safety event at Avoca Beach last year run by the council and Surf Life Saving NSW, who handed out free life jackets.

Snapper Point is a known hotspot for drownings. Surf Life Saving NSW has described the area as notoriously dangerous, with “lots of rock crevasses and lots of caves”.

More than 20 people have died since 2008 along the three-kilometre stretch of coastline where Snapper Point is located, including a rock fisher in 2019 who was swept off the point and into a treacherous sea cave.

Several other people have drowned or were rescued at the point after waves swept them into the ocean. The jagged volcanic rock platforms on the point are popular with fishers.

Rock fishing has been called Australia’s most dangerous sport. An average of 13 rock fishers are killed each year, according to a Surf Life Saving report analysing data between 2004 and 2020.

Only 4 per cent of victims wore a lifejacket.

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