Two women who died after they were swept into the ocean in Sydney’s south were part of a group of picnickers walking along a rock platform, police have said.
Emergency services were first called to the scene at Kurnell about 4.30pm and the women were pulled from the water about 18 minutes later by a NSW Police boat.
NSW Police constables performed CPR on the women while the boat travelled to Botany Bay, where it was met by paramedics who also tried to resuscitate them.
However, both women, identified as Marwa Hashim and Niersha Akakkal died at the scene.
Marwa’s sister, Roshna Hashim was taken to hospital and was treated for hypothermia and a leg injury. She is in a stable condition.
All the women have been identified as Indian nationals. Police previously said they believed they were from Nepal.
Friends in Sydney are now asking the government to help with visas to bring their families from India to attend their funerals.
NSW Police Superintendent Joe McNulty told Today a group of five had been walking along the rocks at low tide when a “freak wave” knocked the women into the water during low tide.
He later said the group “probably” did not take into account the low tide and slippery condition of the rock platform.
“With the rock platform exposed, it was probably inviting however it was a dangerous situation to put themselves in,” McNulty said while addressing the media.
“Unfortunately the sea conditions and the clothing the people were wearing at the time, they were dressed in very heavy winter clothing, did not assist us in their recovery yesterday afternoon.
“The water pressure from the wave was quite huge, a large volume of water sweeping the three of them in one wave action into the water.”
Two bystanders were being treated for hypothermia.
One bystander, Rabih Yassinne, has been hailed a hero after he helped pull Roshna from the water after Marwa’s husband approached him asking for help.
“He came to me saying please help, [he said] please there’s people drowning down there,” Yashinne said.
“I took her out, it was very, very difficult because the wave was so heavy.
“We managed to take her out and she was unconscious.”
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce warned beachgoers to exercise caution around the notoriously dangerous coastline.
“In the last two weeks we have seen four drownings at this location, all of which stemming from people participating in activities on exposed rock shelves which pose serious risks,” Pearce said.
“We cannot stress enough, particularly at this time of year where we see more and more people coming to the coastline for activities other than swimming, that it is still very important that you take caution and understand your limits in these treacherous locations.”
The area is a popular place for rock fishermen but there is no indication that the women were fishing.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says it is reviewing the signage at the rock platform and will see if there is anything else it can do to ensure people’s safety on the coastline.
“NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is assisting police and reviewing signage in place at Yena Gap near Kurnell in the Kamay Botany Bay National Park, following yesterday’s tragic deaths.
“NPWS understands people want to visit remote locations and aims to ensure visitors are safe when visiting National Parks and coastal areas.
“NPWS will review the signage in place at Yena Gap to see if anything else can be done to ensure people are aware of the risks in this area.”
McNulty warned beachgoers to pay careful attention when they were on the rocks.
“Never turn your back on the sea, no matter what activity you’re doing,” he said.
“It’s the golden rule. Don’t turn your back on the ocean.”