Body of missing Sydney man found on Bennetts Beach
The body of a 20-year-old male swimmer from Sydney who went missing in waters north of Newcastle last week has been found by an early morning walker.
Timothy O’Brien is from the North Shore and went missing on Friday afternoon when he became caught in a rip off Bennetts Beach in Hawks Nest.
Searchers had been preparing to press on for a fifth day of searching on Tuesday when a walker found the body washed up at Bennetts Beach 5.30am.
Mr O'Brien went missing about 4pm Friday after becoming caught in a rip in rough conditions and being pulled under the water.
One man swimming with him managed to return to shore safely, while two others were rescued by lifesavers patrolling a nearby beach.
The third was unable to be located.
The beach was closed the day Mr O'Brien was caught in a rip. Photo: 7 News
The beach was closed because of the dangerous surf conditions and Surf Life Saving Australia spokesman, Glen Dunkley, told media that the lifeguard did a great job saving the other two swimmers in rough conditions.
“It is believed the two rescued swimmers were on their last breath before she pulled them on to the board and got them to shore safely,” he said.
“She (lifeguard) did a fantastic job at saving the two other swimmers onto a rescue board with no injuries.”
Mr Dunkley warned future swimmers of the potential danger swimming where there are no flags.
“If the flags aren’t up the safest thing to do is not go in the water,” he said.
