Saturday, 11.45am
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The second man who died in Friday evening's Port Kembla tragedy has been identified as a 38-year-old from southwestern Sydney.
He and a 31-year-old died after they were swept off Honeycomb Rocks at Hill 60 shortly before 7pm.
A third man has sustained some water inhalation and mild hypothermia, but is otherwise understood to be well.
Police believe the three men knew one another.
Anthony Turner, Surf Life Saving NSW Illawarra duty officer, was involved in efforts to resuscitate one of the men.
"It was a confronting scene, dealing with multiple patients in the water, close to rocks in challenging circumstances for our lifesavers and emergency services crews," Mr Turner said.
Saturday, 8.30am
A second man has died after being washed off rocks at Port Kembla on Friday evening.
The man died in hospital late on Friday night.
He is yet to be formally identified.
The other drowning victim has been identified as a 30-year-old from Lakemba.
A third man, who was also swept into the water but was uninjured, was a 42-year-old from Wiley Park.
Low light, poor visibility and rain squalls made the rescue effort hazardous.
The tragedy occurred at the same place where three other men died just weeks ago.
This year already there have been seven rockfishing drownings in NSW, five at Port Kembla alone.
Friday
One man is dead and another is critical after being swept off rocks at Port Kembla this evening at the same location where three men drowned three weeks ago.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after three men were swept into the sea just before 7pm on Friday at Hill 60 near Fishermans Beach.
Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District along with the Toll Rescue Helicopter crew, Surf Lifesaving IRB crew, and Highway Patrol attended the scene and began searching for the men.
A Highway Patrol officer entered the sea with a flotation device and swam out to the men, along with a member of the public.
Two men and the officer were retrieved from the water by the IRB crew, who transported them to Port Kembla beach.
CPR was initiated on one of the men; however, he died at the scene. The police officer and the second fisherman were not injured.
The Toll Helicopter crew winched the third man to safety; he has now been transported to Wollongong Hospital where he is reported to be in a critical condition.
Two other police officers suffered minor injuries during the rescue operation.
"No words can describe the chaotic scene that paramedic crew and other first responders we were faced with this evening," said NSW Ambulance Inspector Norm Rees.
"It was absolutely heartbreaking to respond to a scene where previous lives have been lost despite the warnings.
"Please take all safety precautions when taking part in activities around water. Emergency service personnel put their lives at risk to save the patients."
The incident comes barely weeks after three men died after being washed off the rocks at Port Kembla.
A day later another man who was not wearing a life jacket - was also swept off the rocks at the same location. Fortunately he was rescued by life savers at Port Kembla.
Anyone with information about Friday evening's incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
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