Woman Drowns at Cape Schanck After Being Swept Off Rocks

A woman has tragically drowned after being swept off the rocks near the Cape Schanck boardwalk on Monday. She was part of a group of three people, with the other two managing to return to shore safely, according to police reports.

Emergency services were dispatched to the location around 12:15 pm and found the woman in the water near the base of the boardwalk. Despite efforts to rescue her, the woman was pronounced dead when her body was recovered. The police stated the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

The victim, a 53-year-old Chinese national, was with a 55-year-old man from China and a 24-year-old man from Parkville, who were both transported to Rosebud Hospital in a stable condition, reportedly suffering from shock.

This incident marks the fourth drowning in the waters surrounding Cape Schanck and the neighboring Bushrangers Bay since 2018. The Cape Schanck beach is unpatrolled, with the nearest patrolled beaches located at Gunnamatta and Point Leo surf lifesaving clubs.

Liam O’Callaghan, Life Saving Victoria‘s lifesaving response manager, emphasized the importance of swimming at patrolled beaches and being cautious of weather conditions. “We don’t encourage swimming at unpatrolled beaches. We really encourage people to swim between the red and yellow flags or at a pool where there are lifeguards or lifesavers to supervise,” he remarked. “If you do go to a beach that’s unpatrolled, we really want to encourage you to know your limitations and those of the people you are with and make good decisions. Keep an eye on the weather and the conditions. Conditions can change very quickly.”

The stretch of coastline around Cape Schanck is well-known for its hazardous conditions and has witnessed several fatalities in recent years. Earlier in February, a wave crashed onto the rocks at the same location, injuring eight individuals.

Life Saving Victoria continues to advise visitors to exercise caution and recommended that non-swimmers or those unfamiliar with the area opt for pools or patrolled beaches for their safety. “When you’re along boardwalks, you’ve got to be careful and watch your footing,” noted O’Callaghan. “Consider the safest place for people to swim—pools or supervised locations—and be aware of your limitations,” he added.