The body of a man has been found at a NSW Beach, five days after a swimmer went missing at the beach.
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Wollongong police Inspector Jayson Joerdens said a member of the public called police just after 8am to report a body in the water at Fairy Meadow Beach.
Police have since recovered the body, which will undergo a formal identification process to confirm if it belongs to the University of Wollongong international student who disappeared at the beach on the evening of Sunday, October 29.
The 28-year-old was swimming with friends when he got caught in a rip.
Witnesses saw the man waving for help.
"It was quite a powerful, strong rip. It was moving for quite a considerable amount of time," Surf Life Saving Illawarra duty officer Anthony Turner said on Monday about the conditions at the time.
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Emergency services were called at 6.40pm and a search began, before it was postponed due to fading light.
Police, Surf Life Saving lifesavers, Wollongong council lifeguards and Marine Rescue NSW continued the search in the following days, amid challenging conditions.
They scoured the coastline from Towradgi to Port Kembla, using boats, inflatable vessels, helicopters and drones, as well as dye packs to identify currents and undertows.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
