A man has died and a man and woman have been rescued after a boat capsized at Cronulla this morning.
Emergency services were called to Bate Bay, Cronulla around 9.40am after reports a boat had capsized.
Officers from Sutherland Police Area Command, with assistance from the Marine Area Command, PolAir, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Surf Life Saving Australia, located a man and a woman in the water safe and well, both wearing lifejackets.
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter chief executive Stephen Leahy said they were treated for minor injuries and did not need to be taken to hospital.
Mr Leahy said the second man, aged in his 40s, was pulled onto nearby rocks by witnesses, who started performing CPR.
A rescue crew officer was winched down from the Westpac helicopter and took over CPR, shortly before paramedics arrived.
"Despite everyone’s best efforts, this man couldn't be saved," Mr Leahy said.
He said it was not clear whether the man had been wearing a lifejacket or not when the boat capsized.
"When he was found, he wasn’t wearing a lifejacket, but there was a lifejacket in the water, so it's not clear what happened," Mr Leahy said.
Mr Leahy said the fact two people escaped without major injury was a "clear example" that lifejackets saved lives.
"Certainly this is a tragedy, but it shows that life jackets save people’s lives," he said.
All three people were assisted to shore.
A man, aged in his 40’s, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, but despite their efforts, died at the scene.
A man and a woman were also treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The capsized vessel was recovered and will be forensically examined.
A crime scene has been established and a report will now be prepared for the Coroner.
Anyone with information which could assist investigators is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
The Marine Area Command urges all persons on the water, especially on boats, to always wear a life jacket where appropriate.
