A grieving family has paid tribute to their son and brother who tragically drowned after being caught in a rip that nearly claimed the lives of his three friends.
Kyrus Macalalad, 33, was swimming with friends when they got into trouble at Stockton Beach, in Port Stephens, NSW’s Hunter region, on Wednesday afternoon.
While one member of the group was able to make it back to shore safely, Mr Macalalad and his two mates had to be pulled from the surf by bystanders.
Mr Macalalad was unable to be saved despite the desperate attempts of first responders and he died at the scene.
A female friend was taken to hospital in a critical condition while another man was transported in a stable condition.
Kyrus Macalalad, 33, was swimming with three friends when they got into trouble at Stockton Beach, in Port Stephens, NSW on Wednesday afternoon
Rescuers could not revive Mr Macalalad and he died at the scene
A third man was treated at the scene but did not need any further treatment.
Mr Macalalad’s heartbroken family have remembered the 33-year-old as someone who was ‘loved by everyone’.
‘Thank you for being such a good person inside and out, you are loved by everyone for your goodness and your kindness,’ his parents Dolan and Marlo Macalalad told 7 News.
‘Kyrus is a perfect example of what a big brother is, he always looked after his friends and family,’ his brother Lexus said.
Mr Macalalad’s parents have thanked him for ‘being such a good person inside and out’
‘I will miss you, we love you so much, fly high Kyrus,’ his other brother Jeko said.
Mr Macalalad’s death was the third drowning at the same beach over the last four weeks.
A 47-year-old man drowned on December 16 at Birubi Beach, which is just kilometres north of Stockton Beach.
A Sydney man is also believed to have drowned after he was swept away at Stockton Beach on November 26.
Stockton Beach is located on a large stretch of coast that extends from the Newcastle suburb of Stockton into the Worimi Conservation Lands area of Port Stephens.
It is known at times for treacherous conditions and has strong currents and sudden drop offs.
Surf Life Saving NSW duty officer Glen Dunkley said surf lifeguards were unable to patrol the entire stretch.
He said extra surf lifesaving crews from Sydney arrived on Thursday to help patrol the area, bringing additional jet skis and watercraft.
‘They’ll be supporting our team and lifeguards over the next few days until New Years,’ he told Daily Mail .
Stockton beach can look calm with small waves but lifeguards have warned of dangerous rips
‘They’ll be active on Birubi doing water patrols. They’ll also be helping to educate people – talking to people on the beach and communicating where it is safe to go in the water.
‘They have also brought additional vehicles for duty officers as well as two additional duty officers to support ours.’
He said the issue with Stockton beach, especially the 20km stretch from Birubi Beach to Lavis Lane, is it can look calm.
‘That stretch is some of the best in the world but some of it is unpatrolled,’ he said.
‘It looks inviting, so flat with little waves. But swimmers can’t see what’s going on underneath the water, especially with rips. That’s when they get into trouble.’
Mr Dunkley said the drownings have taken a toll on lifeguards and paramedics.
‘It is distressing and upsetting. It’s a huge toll and the flow goes on to our families and impacts everyone,’ he said.
‘We are doing everything we can do at the moment to make it possible for everyone to enjoy the beach safely.’