Stanwell Park Rescue occuren on 21/01/11
Media Statement provided by Wollongong City Council on 22/01/11

Wollongong City Council patrols 17 beaches, 6 days a week with Surf Lifesaving Australia providing patrols on Sundays.

Yesterday Stanwell Park Beach was staffed with 3 Council ocean lifeguards. Slightly before 4pm the lifeguards were monitoring and managing the flagged swimming area both from the waters edge and in the water on a rescue board. There were an estimated 50 bathers in the water.

Sea conditions changed with a set of waves impacting on the patrolled area, sweeping up to 20 bathers from the sandbank into an adjoining gully.

The lifeguard in the water was able to secure a large number of bathers on his board and was quickly joined by a second lifeguard on a rescue jet ski. With the assistance of the third lifeguard they were able to secure 15 people and return them to the shore.
The three lifeguards were assisted in treating patients by the mobile lifeguard supervisor, paramedics and a few off duty volunteer surf lifesavers who were present at the beach at the time.

Tragically, despite the outstanding efforts of the lifeguards, one of the bathers did not respond to the treatment of lifeguards and attending paramedics.

The Council lifeguards involved in the incident are amongst some of Council’s most experienced and skilled. The diligence and swift actions of the three lifeguards saw all bathers returned to shore and certainly prevented further loss of life. Council would like to commend the actions of these individuals.

The public should be aware that sea conditions can change quickly and dramatically and should demonstrate caution when entering the water.