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beach in Australia
Photo: Roni Bintang/Getty Images
A police officer has died south of Sydney trying to save his distressed son from drowning in the sea.
The 45-year-old was caught by the current during the rescue operation near the village of Narooma, among other things, the broadcaster 9News reported on Monday, citing the local police.
The accident happened on an unguarded beach.
The police officer was reportedly on vacation with his family.
While the 14-year-old son survived, any help came too late for his father.
Helpers who rushed to sea in a boat could only determine his death, despite immediate resuscitation measures.
"He managed to pull his son out of the current, but was then driven out to sea himself," police spokesman Paul Hoyer said.
He spoke of a "tragedy for his family, his friends and his colleagues".
wit/dpa