Fatal Incident at Rocky Site Near Victoria Coastal Trail: One Dead, One Missing

A tragic incident occurred near a popular coastal walk, resulting in the death of a woman and a missing man after they were swept from rocks. Emergency workers were called to a beach off Punch Bowl Road near San Remo, approximately 125km south-east of Melbourne, on Friday morning. Reports stated that three people were washed into the water, with one woman managing to return to shore. An aerial search found a second woman unresponsive in the water, who unfortunately could not be revived. Efforts continued to locate the missing man. Punchbowl Rocks beach, near the George Bass coastal walk, is known for its high bluffs, reefs, and rocks. In a separate incident, a fisherman died after being swept into the water at Wollongong harbour. Emergency services were called to Endeavour Drive at 6:15am and rushed a 58-year-old man to the scene, but he could not be saved. According to the police, the victim was fishing on a nearby rock wall when the accident occurred. Separate reports will be prepared for the coroner in both cases. Given these incidents, Australians have been warned to exercise caution while spending time near water during the long weekend. According to Royal Life Saving Australia, over the past 20 years, Easter has seen a total of 118 drowning incidents in the country.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/18/woman-dead-and-man-missing-after-being-swept-from-rocks-near-popular-coastal-walk-in-victoria