The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at Tuncurry Public Pool. The man, a local who had only recently moved to the area, dove into the shallow end and hit his head. Suffering from dizziness and some loss of movement to his arms and legs, paramedics were called and treated the man for suspected spinal injuries. The Westpac Rescue Helicopter then airlifted him for treatment to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, where a spokesperson said he remains in a serious condition. 

“It’s a timely warning and reinforces the importance of pool safety and in particular not diving into the shallow end,” Tuncurry Ambulance’s station officer Phil McCarren said.

NSW Ambulance paramedics have responded to 225 drownings/near drownings and cardiac arrests under water in the past two months (November 1 to January 2).

Royal Life Saving NSW’s spokesperson said up to 21 victims have died in the water over the Christmas period, a figure five times higher than the normal rate experienced at this time of year.