Early yesterday morning, a young man in his 20s found himself in distress while swimming with friends at Sydney’s Coogee Beach. The incident occurred shortly after 6am, and he was last seen struggling against the water’s force.

Meanwhile, further north at Palm Beach, a search effort continues for a 14-year-old boy who vanished when his vessel overturned on New Year’s Eve. The boy was accompanied by a man who was successfully rescued, though tragically, another man lost his life during the incident.

This unfortunate event is part of a series of tragic incidents over the past two days, where treacherous beach conditions have claimed three lives across New South Wales.

Among the victims was a 25-year-old tourist from China, who drowned just after 4am at Maroubra. Additionally, a 45-year-old woman near Port Macquarie succumbed despite rescue efforts after being pulled from the waters at Dunbogan Beach later that afternoon.

A 25-year-old Chinese tourist drowned just after 4am at Maroubra and a 45-year-old woman near Port Macquarie was unable to be revived after being pulled from the water at Dunbogan Beach in the afternoon.

More hazardous conditions are expected today, prompting authorities to issue a stark warning to stay out of the water.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce yesterday said there had been a surge in rescues up and down the coast in recent days.

“This spate of drownings and rescues have caught everyone off guard over the new year’s period,” Pearce said.

“We are pleading for people – do not enter the water today, if that beach is closed.”