Search enters third day for missing fisherman – Fingal Bay

A search is due to resume this morning for a man swept into the sea while rock fishing near Port Stephens.

Emergency services responded about 9.20am Saturday (3 February 2024), to reports four rock fishers had been swept into the waters of Fingal Bay.

Two men and a woman were rescued and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, a fourth angler – a man in his 60s – was not found.

The 59-year-old man from Sans Souci, a 54-year-old man from Chatswood, and a 47-year-old woman, also from Chatswood, were taken to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.

An extensive search was initiated for the fourth man by officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, Marine Area Command, local Water Police, the police airwing PolAir, Marine Rescue and Surf Life Savers. It continued to 6pm when it was suspended due to dangerous surf conditions.

A multi-agency water and land-based search will resume today (Monday 5 February 2024), about 8am.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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