One dead, others in a critical condition after boat capsizes

A man has died and six others have been pulled from the water after their boat capsized off the Wollongong coast near Waniora Point, Bulli on Sunday morning.

NSW Police vessel attending capsized boat

A man has died and six others have been pulled from the water after their boat capsized off the Wollongong coast near Waniora Point, Bulli earlier Sunday morning (31 October, 2021)

Surf Life Savers were already on the beach carrying out training when they spotted a boat that appeared to be in distress. Moments later they noticed several men in the water while others were unconscious in the boats hull.

Officers attached to Wollongong Police Area Command attended and with the assistance of Surf Life Savers and the Marine Area Command, seven people on board at the time were rescued and taken to shore.

Rescuers performed CPR on four people until the arrival of paramedics. One person, a 37-year-old man could not be revived and died at the scene.

NSW Forensic Police responding

Two males were resuscitated and airlifted to St George Public Hospital in a critical condition. A third man was revived and taken by road to Wollongong Hospital in a serious condition. The other three men were assessed at the scene with no injuries. One Surf Life Saver involved in the rescue sustained chemical burns to his face.

A crime scene was established, and specialist officers attached to Marine Area Command have commenced investigations.