Two women tragically died and another was hospitalized after being pulled from the water in Sydney’s south.
A major police rescue operation was underway at Cape Solander, a lookout in Kurnell, at around 4.30pm on Monday after reports that three women had been dragged from the rocks.
One of the women managed to return to land.
New South Wales Police said the two remaining women were eventually located with the help of PolAir helicopters and pulled from the water unconscious.
Bystanders comfort each other after three women were swept into the water at Cape Solander
A rescue operation was launched after women were seen falling into the ocean at Kurnell.
The women were pulled from the water near Cape Solander, Kurnell, on Monday night.
Paramedics performed CPR on the women but were unable to revive them.
The third woman is being treated for hypothermia and a suspected spinal injury.
Paramedics are also treating two bystanders who tried to rescue the women.
Kurnell had wind gusts of almost 40km/h on Monday and the temperature was a chilly 14C at around 5pm.
An air and water search was carried out shortly after 4.30pm on Monday afternoon.
Bystanders who attempted 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 has a suspected spinal injury