Woman drowns at Gordons Bay in Sydney as surfer dies at Jervis Bay on NSW south coast

Gordons Bay, which is popular with swimmers and snorkellers, is unpatrolled by surf lifesavers but is listed among the least hazardous beaches in Sydney on the BeachSafe website.

Further south, a surfer died after being pulled from the water in Jervis Bay.

Emergency services were called to Caves Beach, after reports a surfer was brought to the shore by surfers and swimmers, and was unresponsive.

NSW Ambulance paramedics performed CPR but the 62-year-old could not be revived.

Officers attached to the south coast police district and Australian federal police attended.

Reports on both deaths will be prepared for the coroner.

Across Australia, there have been a spate of drownings in rivers and at beaches, including several drownings of people who had gone into waters to rescue stricken family members.

Stone managed to push his son to safety, but he did not survive, despite the efforts of lifesavers who performed CPR.

On 3 January another man, 42, died after trying to rescue his teenage daughter from a rip at Black Head, 75km south of Port Macquarie.

A nearby surfer took the girl to shore and returned to bring the man back to the beach. Bystanders performed CPR until paramedics arrived but he could not be revived.

Amy Peden, a water safety expert and researcher at the University of New South Wales, said said bystander drownings often involved a parent trying to help a child.