Fifty-year-old man dies after falling from North Bondi cliff

By TOKS OGUNDARE

A 50-year-old man died last night after falling from a cliff at North Bondi, with NSW police now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. 

Emergency services were called to a golf course on Military Road in North Bondi at about 10:30 pm following reports that a man had fallen 10 metres from a cliff onto the rocks below.

Officers attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command located the man, who had sustained significant head injuries and died at the scene. NSW Police said a report will be prepared for the state coroner. 

It comes amid a spate of incidents on the water across the Greater Sydney region in recent weeks.

Emergency services were called to the Nepean River in Penrith on Wednesday, after reports that a boat with five people on board had capsized. A 33-year-old woman was pulled from the water unconscious and was treated by paramedics before dying shortly afterwards. Two men and two teenagers were rescued from the water and taken to Nepean Hospital for observation and minor injuries.

Hours later, emergency crews attended The Haven Boat Ramp at Terrigal following reports a man had been pulled from the water unconscious. Police were told by witnesses that the man fell from rocks into the water while walking along Terrigal Haven. The 62-year-old died while being transported to Gosford Hospital.

Police have commenced investigations into both incidents.

Earlier this month Dion Papanakos, aged 20, died after he lost his balance and fell from a cliff at the north end of Coogee Beach, only about six kilometres from the scene of last night’s death. 

Emergency services were called to Dunningham Reserve on January 8 after receiving reports that a man had fallen about 25 metres onto the rocks below. Paramedics attempted to revive Mr Papanakos, who had suffered critical head and chest injuries and was found to be having a heart attack. He died at the scene.

NSW Ambulance inspector Lucky Phrachanh has issued a warning to the public to avoid high clifftop areas: “Tragedies can occur in a split second,” she said.