A surfer has died after being found with stab wounds near a beach in Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
The 22-year-old is believed to have been allegedly stabbed moments after leaving the water and was found in Park Beach Reserve at about 6.40am on Thursday.
Det Ch Insp Guy Flaherty said the man suffered multiple stab wounds.
“We believe he recently came out of the surf and was wearing a black wetsuit at the time,” he told the ABC.
“The 22-year-old male has been found with significant stab wounds.”
He was taken to hospital where he later died. Police have launched a homicide investigation and established a crime scene in a car park close to Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club and Park Beach, a popular surf spot.
“We are conducting an evidence search in relation to possible objects used in the offence in and around the area,” Insp Flaherty said.
“Our search at the car park and the waterfront around Coffs Harbour beach will continue for some time,” he said.
Flaherty later told Nine News that police believed the alleged attacker “may have travelled back from the car park, back towards the creek and bridge area”.
The Coffs Harbour local and former World Championship Tour surfer Lee Winkler said the victim was known to younger local surfers and the incident was “shocking”.
“From what I understand, I don’t think it’s related to any surf altercation,” Winkler, who owns a local surf school, told Guardian Australia.
He said the surf spot, known as “Parkie”, was in a peaceful, family-friendly area.
“It’s really out of the ordinary. I’ve never seen any physical contact in the water and I’ve been surfing here for 35 years now.
“I’ve never seen anything like this, never. The surf club is full of lots of kids doing ocean skills and meeting friends and it’s really shocking.”
A frequent dog walker at nearby North Wall said the area was usually busy in the early mornings.
“It’s where Coffs Creek meets the ocean and on the other side is a really popular dog walking beach,” said the local, who did not want to be named.
“There’s lots of heavy pedestrian traffic at that time, so it’s really surprising,” she said.
