NRL star's uncle drowned trying to save others from rip at Sydney beach
A man who died after being caught in a rip with two others was trying to save them, it has been revealed.
Father-of-six Talitiga Taupau swam into a rip at Shelly Beach in Cronulla, in Sydney's south, yesterday afternoon.
He was trying to save two others who had been caught in the same dangerous current.
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Shelly Beach in Cronulla, where a man has drowned. Nine
While one was able to make it back to the beach, the other two were found unconscious in the water and were pulled to Cronulla Beach by nearby surf lifesavers on jet skis.
Taupau, 44, died at the scene.
The other unconscious man, in his 40s, was treated by critical care medical staff, after being unconscious and underwater for three minutes.
He was taken to St George Hospital in a critical condition.
Talitiga Taupau bravely raced in to save two lives. Nine
The third man, aged in his 20s, who was able to make it back to shore, has been taken to St George Hospital for further treatment.
It is also believed one of those involved in the rescue is being treated for exhaustion after swallowing water.
Taupau is the uncle of NRL star Marty Taupau, who spoke out today.
NRL star Marty Taupau Nine
"It's really sad that this has happened but he will never be forgotten for his actions," Marty Taupau said.
Surf Life Saving NSW's Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman, said volunteer rescuers are under enormous strain after recent drownings across the state.
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Today's death means 14 people have now drowned on the NSW coast this summer.
"We are experiencing one of our busiest summers ever with huge rescue numbers, and our volunteers have put in a massive effort to try to keep people safe along the coast," Wiseman said.
"Despite the growing drowning toll, volunteers and lifeguards should be very proud of what they've achieved so far this summer.
"There are a combination of factors making this summer so deadly, including people taking risks, alcohol consumption, and crowded beaches which can lead beachgoers to seek out unfamiliar and unpatrolled locations.
"Rip currents remain the number one coastal hazard and the 14 coastal drowning deaths this summer have all occurred at unpatrolled locations."
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