Two rock fishers have put their lives on the line as a five-metre swell pummelled Sydney’s beaches, triggering a daring rescue.
The men were today found trapped at the southern end of Avoca Beach at high tide, one with an injured ankle and neither wearing life jackets.
A helicopter rescue was the only way to get them out, leaving the Toll chopper crew to risk their lives to get the pair to safety.
“It happens all the time here. People just go out there on the rocks all the time and risk their lives and don’t wear life jackets,” local woman Jenna told 9News.
Yesterday at the same beach, two swimmers struggling in the rip had to be rescued by lifesavers on boards.
Warnings remained in place today for dangerous swell as the city’s beaches were battered by big waves again.
The swell was less dangerous today but beaches such as Coogee and Maroubra were still hit hard.
Bondi Beach also copped some big waves, with surfers and people in kayaks making the most of the weather conditions this morning.
Authorities will be pleased with the easing conditions, especially after there were worries that lives could have been lost in yesterday’s monster swell conditions.
While that fear didn’t eventuate, large parts of the state were pummelled by the huge swells, with some surfers braving the conditions.
The strongest of the swell hit early in the morning, which pushed the tide much further up beaches than usual.
Some were seen riding huge waves at Wedding Cake Island off Coogee Beach in Sydney, with curious onlookers taking in the sights.
A crowd also gathered at nearby Trenerry Reserve to take in the action, with surfers navigating the massive waves as a once-in-a-half-century weather event hit the state.
The impacts were felt across the coastline, with Bulli, south of Sydney, also seeing its coastline being hit hard, while the Newcastle Ocean Baths were nearly inundated by the rising tide and swell.
Some rescues had to be made, including at Bondi Beach, but there were no serious injuries or missing persons as a result of the wild weather.
Warnings still remain in place, with the swell not expected to ease until later tonight, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
However, these issues eased yesterday, and there have been no major travel interruptions over the weekend.
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