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An off-duty police officer who drowned while trying to save his teenage son from a rip on a beach on the NSW Far South Coast has been named.
Peter Stone, 45, died during the rescue of his 14-year-old son near Narooma on New Year’s Day.
Surf Life Saving NSW said Stone also became caught in the rip at Bogola Beach, which is unpatrolled.
Lifesavers rushed to the beach in an inflatable rescue boat at 1.30pm but despite giving CPR, Stone couldn’t be saved.
Stone served at Springwood in the Blue Mountains.
He was on extended leave from the force and was on holiday with his family when he rushed to the rescue of his son, who was caught in a “substantial” rip.
“He was able to push his son out of the rip, he was then taken further out to sea in the rip,” NSW Police Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer said.
“This is a tragedy which will cut through to the family, his friends and workmates.
“It’s devastating.”
Hoyer praised Stone for his actions.
“As a father, parent and police officer, he was obviously doing what he should be doing,” he said.
Hoyer urged people to swim between the flags at patrolled beaches.
Police said officers from South Coast Police District will prepare a report for the coroner.
NSW Surf Life Saving said large crowds flocked to beaches on New Year’s Day.
The drowning is just the latest over the festive period, with multiple people losing their lives in water-related incidents across the nation.
Source: 9News
