Three people are dead and another person has been flown to hospital in a critical condition after they ran into trouble in the water at Victoria’s Phillip Island.
Emergency services including rescue helicopters rushed to Newhaven at about 3.30pm on Wednesday after reports four people, three women and a man, were unresponsive after being pulled from the water.
“CPR was administered on all four but three were pronounced deceased at the scene,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said in a statement.
Police believe the victims are a man in his 40s and two women in their 20s.
“A third woman, also believed to be in her 20s, has been taken to hospital in a critical condition,” the spokesperson continued.
The incident is understood to have occurred at Forest Caves, a popular tourist destination on Phillip Island known for its sea caves.
The caves, formed by water erosion, can only be accessed during low tide.
“If the surf is up, the caves can quickly flood. Do not enter the caves and beware of playing in the rock pools,” one walking guide warned about the area.
“The surf along here is rough, and there are no lifeguards – so best to keep away from the water.”