Volunteer Duty Officers, jetski operators and UAV pilots have assisted Police in the aftermath of the first fatal shark incident in Sydney in almost 60 years.
Tragically a man has died after a shark encounter off rocks at Little Bay beach late on Wednesday 16 February.
At about 4.45pm on 16 February, the SLSNSW State Operations Centre was advised by Police of a man missing after being observed by rock fishers in an encounter with a shark. SLS Duty Officers attended, along with Randwick Council lifeguards, SLS Sydney jetski and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
Surf lifesavers were back on scene the next morning with two Surf Life Saving Sydney jetskis on the water and two UAVs in the air to assist Police and the Department of Primary Industries.
Randwick, Sutherland and Waverley Councils closed beaches for 24 hours after the incident occurred.
“This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends,” said SLSNSW President George Shales.
“While these incidents are extremely rare, it is still shocking to comprehend and I want to thank our volunteers who responded to assist Police.”
Thursday 17 February 2022