Man drowns at Royal National Park beach after cliff jump
A man has drowned at a Royal National Park beach, prompting police to warn people to be careful when swimming at unpatrolled beaches.
The 20-year-old had been jumping from the cliff into the lagoon with two friends at Wattamolla Beach on Thursday when they got into trouble shortly before 7pm.
Emergency services were called, and by the time police arrived two men had been rescued and were being treated by paramedics.
The men, aged 19 and 21, were taken to St George Hospital in a stable condition. Police said they remained at hospital under observation on Friday morning.
The police helicopter found the body of the third man, and paramedics brought him to shore a short time later.
It's believed the man, a Bangladeshi national, did not know how to swim.
Sutherland Police Area Command Inspector Christopher Hill said visitors to Wattamolla Beach and other Royal National Park beaches need to obey the warning signs in the area.
“This tragic death is another reminder of how the enjoyment of swimming at these spectacular locations can quickly become deadly,” the Inspector said.
Warning signs along the cliff top at Wattamolla warn visitors not to jump into the water, but it remains a popular activity for swimmers at the beach.
It's not the first time a man has drowned after jumping off the cliff into the lagoon.
On Christmas Day in 2016, a 27-year-old drowned after jumping into the water. Despite a large response from emergency services, he could not be saved.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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