Young swimmer missing off the Mornington Peninsula after being caught in a rip

Rough weather has disrupted the search for a 20-year-old swimmer who was caught in a rip and disappeared in waters off a Mornington Peninsula beach on Sunday night.

Police said emergency services were called to Number 16 Beach in Rye, off Browns Road and Tasman Drive, about 7pm on Sunday after receiving reports three swimmers were caught in a rip.

“A man and a woman, aged in their 20s, made it to shore while [the] 20-year-old Cranbourne man remains unaccounted for,” police said in an updated statement on Monday.

Ambulance Victoria said the pair who made it to shore were treated for “water immersion” and taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition.

The water police, the force’s air wing and SES units were involved in the search operation near the unpatrolled beach on Monday.

“High winds and strong swells are making the search difficult for rescue crews this morning,” police said.

Life Saving Victoria said 22 people have drowned so far this summer – since December 1 – but that toll may change as coronial investigations pinpoint a cause of death.

“That is far too many,” Liam Krige, LSV general manager of lifesaving operations, said. “Many of those are preventable and avoidable.”

Krige said this summer’s drownings were mainly at unpatrolled locations and urged beachgoers to be aware of waterway danger and their own swimming abilities.

“I am extremely concerned, particularly as we move into the later part of the season, and we’re seeing record numbers of drownings,” Krige said.

Emergency services workers blocked off the entry to Number 16 Beach at Rye on Monday morning.Credit: Penny Stephens

“But also, we’re seeing a significant number of rescues across the coastline at those patrolled locations, and that’s more than likely going to increase as we move into that later warmer part of the season.”

Justin Dunlop, Ambulance Victoria’s director of emergency management, said alcohol was a factor for some beachgoers needing to be rescued.

The spate of drownings include the state’s deadliest incident for almost two decades when four people died off an unpatrolled beach on Phillip Island on January 24.

On Saturday, two men died in separate incidents off the Victorian coast as scorching temperatures drew thousands to the beach over the weekend.

Police tape blocks the entrance to Number 16 Beach at Rye on Monday.Credit: Penny Stephens

A 66-year-old man from Anglesea died after a wave caused his boat to capsize at Barwon Heads before 7am on Saturday. A jet-ski rider rescued a 61-year-old man from Moriac who had climbed on top of the overturned boat.

Later in the day, a scuba diver died after he was pulled from the water unconscious at Rye Pier about 10am.

On Sunday, three people were hospitalised after being pulled from the surf on the Bass Coast at Kilcunda – the same beach where a man died trying to retrieve his sunglasses from the water last month.

Ambulance Victoria said two children were taken to hospital in a stable condition, while a man in his 40s was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition after a medical episode.

Also on Sunday, paramedics assessed eight people at Cape Schanck after a wave knocked them onto rocks, but no one was critically injured. Ambulance Victoria said one had to be winched from the beach and two teenagers were taken to Frankston Hospital with lower body injuries.

The Bass Coast has been a hotspot for deadly incidents in the water this summer.

In Melbourne, a 23-year-old drowned on January 28 after he was caught in fast-moving rapids in the Yarra River at Warrandyte North while swimming with his friends.

Anyone who witnessed the Rye incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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