Two women have tragically died and another has been hospitalized after being pulled from the water in Sydney’s south.
A major police rescue operation was underway at Cape Solander, a lookout near Kurnell, from about 4.30pm on Monday after reports that three women had been swept off the rocks.
One of the women managed to get back to land.
NSW Police said the remaining two women were eventually located with the assistance of PolAir helicopters and pulled unconscious from the water.
Bystanders comfort each other after three women were swept into the water at Cape Solander
A rescue operation was launched after women were spotted in the ocean near Kurnell
The women were pulled from the water near Cape Solander, Kurnell, on Monday evening
Paramedics performed CPR on the women, but they could not be revived.
The third woman is being treated for hypothermia and suspected spinal cord injury.
Two bystanders are also being treated by ambulance personnel after they tried to save the women.
Kurnell had gusts of nearly 40 km/h on Monday and the temperature was a chilly 14 degrees Celsius around 5pm.
A water and air survey was conducted shortly after 4:30 PM on Monday afternoon
Bystanders who tried to save the women were treated for hypothermia by rangers, paramedics and surf rescue personnel
A third woman and two bystanders are being treated by paramedics
The third woman who fell into the water is believed to have a spinal cord injury