One dead, five rescued, in water mishaps on Mornington Peninsula
One man has died after being pulled unconscious from Rye front beach, while at least five people in distress were pulled from the water at a nearby beach during a dramatic afternoon on the Mornington Peninsula.
Police confirmed the man in his 80s was pulled from the water at Tootgarook about 4pm on Wednesday, but he was unable to be revived.
Several helicopters were also deployed nearby after a number of swimmers came into distress off the ocean side of Mornington Peninsula at Flinders just before 3.30pm.
Life Saving Victoria's State Agency Commander Simon White said two lifesaving helicopters and lifesavers responded to "reports of a number of swimmers in distress at Bushrangers Bay" near Cape Schanck.
Paramedics, including an air ambulance, were deployed to the scene and five people have now been taken to hospital; four to Frankston Hospital and one to Rosebud Hospital.
Air Ambulance and other emergency services on scene on Wednesday.Credit:Nine News Melbourne
Rye front beach is 25 kilometres from Cape Schanck.
Emergency Management Victoria recorded the rescue incident near the Two Bays Walking Track which runs for 26km between Dromana to Cape Schanck on the peninsula.
Another alert issued through the service stated a number of people were swept off the rocks into the water at the popular beach.
Aerial footage from the scene on Wednesday.Credit:Nine News Melbourne
Bushrangers Bay is not patrolled by Life Saving Victoria, according to beachsafe.org.au.
The service describes the 300m beach as "moderately safe" for swimming when waves are low.
"However stay on the bar and clear of the rocks, and rips against the rocks," the advice reads.
Police are investigating how the man at Rye beach died, and report will be prepared for the Coroner.
More to come
Rachael Dexter is a breaking news reporter at The Age.