Wollongong man drowns trying to save son on NSW Mid North Coast
A Wollongong man has drowned trying to rescue his 14-year-old son from a rip at an unpatrolled beach on the NSW Mid North Coast.
The boy got into trouble while swimming at an Urunga beach at around 11.30am this morning.
He yelled out for help and his 53-year-old father swam out to rescue him, but became stranded himself and drowned.
Urunga Beach is notorious for rips, despite seemingly calm waters. 9NEWS
Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save the man. 9NEWS
"The 14-year-old got caught in the rip and subsequently was able to swim out of the rip and return to shore," NSW Police Chief Inspector Peter Hayes told 9NEWS.
Emergency services were called and NSW Surf Life Saving crews moved in and pulled the man out of the water, but he was unable to be revived.
The family were staying nearby visiting relatives for the long weekend.
That section of Urunga Beach is notorious for rips, despite seemingly calm conditions.
NSW Ambulance Acting Inspector Brendan Dean told 9NEWS that the man was unconscious when he was pulled from the water, and was unable to be revived. 9NEWS
Chief Inspector Hayes urged swimmers to check the Surf NSW website to find a patrolled beach.
"And definitely swim between the flags - especially if you don't know what a rip looks like," he said.
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