A teen has drowned and two others are lucky to be alive after getting into difficulty while swimming at a popular but unpatrolled lagoon.
Emergency services rushed to Werri Lagoon near Gerringong on the NSW south coast at about 5.15pm on Wednesday following reports three teens were struggling in the water.
Two managed to get out of the water without assistance while a lifeguard pulled the other to shore unresponsive.
The third boy was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
‘Two teenage boys made their own way to safety with a third brought to shore by a lifeguard; however, the boy was unable to be revived,’ a police statement read.
‘That part of the lagoon is not patrolled.’
Locals reported seeing multiple emergency vehicles and a rescue helicopter heading to the scene.
Multiple ambulances and police cars remained in the vicinity on Wednesday night.
Distressed family members were seen speaking with police and consoling each other.
The conditions of the two other teens and their ages is currently unknown.
They were assessed by multiple paramedic teams at the scene.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
It comes weeks after a woman, 66, drowned at nearby Werri Beach on December 21.
A off-duty teenage lifeguard pulled the woman to shore but she was unable to be revived.
At least 55 drownings across have been recorded this summer since December 1.