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Desperate search for veteran lifesaver missing in wild surf


New South Wales rescuers are throwing every resource in the search for one of their own – a veteran lifesaver who went missing in wild surf off the state’s north coast.

Raz Burtonwood lived for the ocean, but the 69-year-old volunteer lifeguard of more than two decades went out for his morning swim on Saturday and never returned.

He went missing in rough surf and was not located by Saturday evening.

Volunteer lifeguard Raz Burtonwood went out for his morning swim at Ballina and never returned. Source: 7 News
Volunteer lifeguard Raz Burtonwood went out for his morning swim at Ballina and never returned. Source: 7 News

“Conditions at the moment are pretty horrendous. Conditions have deteriorated throughout the day,” said Jimmy Keough of the Ballina Surf Life Saving Club.

Friends described him as the soul of the sea – the salty dog.

“A beautiful, beautiful fella. He loved to be social with us. You couldn’t get a better fella,” James Nunn said.

As he has done nearly every day for most of his life, Mr Burtonwood went for an early morning swim.

The veteran surfer’s own surf lifesaving club searched for him but there was no sign of the missing man. Source: 7 News
The veteran surfer’s own surf lifesaving club searched for him but there was no sign of the missing man. Source: 7 News

He set out at Ballina’s lighthouse beach shortly before 10am, when witnesses alerted lifeguards after seeing the swimmer in distress.

A search involving police, two Westpac helicopters, paramedics, the SES and his own surf lifesaving club was quickly launched, but there was no sign of Mr Burtonwood.

“At the time of the incident occurring we were looking at two-metre seas, very strong winds and some squally rain coming through the area,” Mr Keough said.

The extraordinary rescue effort for one of their own.

SES crews searched for Raz Burtonwood at Ballina Saturday morning. Source: 7 News
SES crews searched for Raz Burtonwood at Ballina Saturday morning. Source: 7 News

“He was a terrific community contributor, great footballer – he was a great rugby league player, great rugby union player with Ballina Rugby Club,” friend Eion Johnston said.

Sharks have been seen in the area this afternoon but authorities do not believe the man was attacked.

The search will end when the sun sets, and resume again at first light.