Bathing horror at Easter: several holidaymakers die during excursions, including a child among the dead

By Carola Frentzen

Sydney (Australia) - Seven people drowned in the sea on Australia's east coast over the Easter weekend. Six victims died in the state of New South Wales alone, including a nine-year-old boy.

Many Australians used the long Easter weekend for trips to the seaside. This ended fatally for seven people.
Many Australians used the long Easter weekend for trips to the seaside. This ended fatally for seven people.  © Jono Searle/AAP/dpa

"This is the highest number of drowning accidents at Easter that we have ever recorded in New South Wales," the 9News channel quoted Steve Pearce, head of the rescue service Surf Life Saving NSW, as saying. He spoke of an "absolutely horrific weekend".

According to a report by Australia's ABC, the nine-year-old had been playing on rocks surrounded by water in South West Rocks between Sydney and Brisbane on Sunday when he suddenly became trapped between the rocks.

Emergency services tried to free the boy, but he died at the scene of the accident.

Swept into the sea by waves

All help came too late for seven people. (symbolic image)
All help came too late for seven people. (symbolic image)  © DAVID GRAYAFP

On Sunday, a fisherman was also swept into the water by waves on a rock in the south of Sydney and drowned. Also in a suburb of Sydney, a 24-year-old man is still missing after a similar accident on Good Friday.

There was also a victim in the southern state of Victoria: a woman was swept into the sea by waves while walking near Phillip Island.

Rescue teams have been repeatedly deployed since Friday, including rescue helicopters. More than 100 people in distress were rescued alive from the sea, it was reported.