Woman dies in rock fishing accident at North Durras Beach

A 25-year-old woman died after being struck by a wave while rock fishing at North Durras Beach on the NSW South Coast on Saturday evening. Emergency services, including NSW Police, paramedics, surf lifesavers, and Marine Rescue NSW, responded to reports of two people in the water near Batemans Bay.

A 39-year-old man attempting to rescue the woman was washed back to shore by the surf. A passing vessel located the woman in the water and brought her to shore, but she could not be revived despite CPR efforts. Police confirmed that neither individual was wearing safety equipment at the time of the incident.

South Coast Police District is investigating the event, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. Surf Life Saving NSW noted that rock fishing drowning deaths on the NSW South Coast have reached six in the past year, with 32 such deaths recorded in the region since 2004.