Lifesavers have successfully rescued four people who got into trouble while swimming in Tathra.
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Surf Life Saving NSW’s emergency operations centre was alerted to an incident at the Bega River mouth about 1.50pm.
Initial reports said two swimmers were in trouble, but when emergency personnel arrived on scene they found four people in need of help after being caught in the outgoing tide through the river mouth.
Surf Life Saving NSW Far South Coast branch president Tony Rettke said it appeared two concerned beach-goers tried to help the first pair, but got into trouble themselves.
A spokesman for SLSNSW said a number of emergency personnel attended, with the successful rescue carried out by local lifeguards in IRBs.
The Westpac Life Saver helicopter was initially tasked to assist, but was stood down and not needed as part of the rescue.
Lifesavers from Tathra returned the swimmers to shore for assessment.
Their ages are not known at this stage, but the spokesman confirmed it was four adults.
The Bega river mouth was the scene of a tragic drowning just over 12 months ago when a 19-year-old Bega man was caught in an outgoing tide while swimming with four mates.
Three of the swimmers made it to shore safely and a fourth managed to latch on to a rock as the tide swept him out to sea.
He was later rescued by local lifesavers.
However, a land, sea and air search for the fifth young man ended tragically when he was unable to be revived after eventually being spotted by the rescue chopper.