A couple have died after being swept off the rocks at a tourist beauty spot popular with Instagrammers.
A man's body was found floating off the coast nearly 24 hours after his partner's body was found at a nearby popular beach.
The man's body was discovered near Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, 2.5km south of Birdie Beach, a day after an elderly woman was pulled out of the water at Moonee Beach.
The woman, who is believed to be aged in her 80s, was treated at the scene but couldn't be saved by paramedics.
Meanwhile, the man, who was in his 70s and known to the woman, was reported missing nearby before he was found a day later.
Officers said that although the man who was pulled from the water has not yet been officially identified, it is believed that he is the missing person.
The hotspot is well-known as an Instagram-famous grotto with naturally pink-coloured rocks where visitors often flock to take photos.
Chief Inspector Peter Vromans told meaww.com : "It appears they may have walked on the rock platform and been washed off by the ocean.
"Such a tragedy, on a double scale.”
Meanwhile, earlier this year, a woman died after being swept off a rock by a wave at the same tourist hotspot.
Police were called to reports of two women being knocked into the water at the Pink Caves in Lake Macquarie back in April, reports news.com.au.
New South Wales police said they were called to a location south of Catherine Hill Bay at about 12.30pm on Thursday, April 14.
One of the women was washed back onto the rocks and only suffered minor injuries, but the other was in a serious condition when she was found.
Both women were rescued by surf life savers and rushed to shore on a jet ski, where police began CPR on the second woman.
In a statement, police said: “One of the women was washed back onto the rocks, suffering minor injuries.
“A 26-year-old man jumped in the water to rescue the second woman, however he also came into trouble in the water.
“Surf life savers rescued the pair on a jet ski and brought them to shore on Moonee Beach, further south of Pink Caves, with officers attached to Lake Macquarie and Tuggerah Lakes Police Districts commenced CPR on the woman at the beach.
“NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and continued treating her, however she died a short time later. She is yet to be formally identified.
"The second female was transported by road Ambulance to John Hunter Hospital for medical assessment with bruising and abrasions.
“The man was treated at the scene for minor cuts and abrasions.
Earlier this year Coasties Magazine reported how Pink Caves had become "a star attraction of our region", with thousands of people flocking there each summer.
The magazine warned: “It’s only recommended to visit during low tide and even then you still have to be careful.
“In the largest cave, natural erosion has created a passage for the waves to rush through. It’s dangerous to get too close to this split in the rock.
"It’s absolutely essential to be aware of the tides on the Central Coast when visiting this location.”
Pictures courtesy of walkmyworld.com
