A teenage boy has been rescued after being swept into a blowhole and trapped beneath the surface at Warriewood, prompting a complex multi-agency operation along the coastline.
Swept Beneath the Surface at Warriewood
The incident unfolded at the Warriewood blowhole on Turimetta Headland just after 1:15 pm on Monday, 13 April, when a 14-year-old boy, with friends, was swept from the rocks by a wave.
He was dragged into a submerged cave within the rock platform, disappearing from view for several minutes. Inside the confined space, the boy located an air pocket, allowing him to breathe while trapped as powerful swell conditions surged through the blowhole.
After being forced back out by the water, he resurfaced on rocks with visible injuries and was unable to stand.
Emergency Response Builds at Warriewood
Emergency services were called shortly after 1:15 pm on 13 April, triggering a large-scale response at Warriewood involving police, paramedics, firefighters, lifeguards, and aerial support.
Three helicopters were deployed, including specialist rescue aircraft, while multiple ambulance crews and special operations paramedics arrived to assess access along the steep cliff face.
Lifeguards approached from multiple directions, including by jet-ski and on foot. A drone was briefly used to confirm the location of people on the rocks before being stood down as aircraft moved into position.
Rope Rescue on Steep Cliff Face
Rescuers reached the boy on the rock platform shortly after 1:30 pm, where he received treatment for a head impact, abrasions, and a deep injury to his knee.
Extraction by helicopter was assessed but deemed too dangerous due to the conditions. Crews instead established a vertical rope system to bring him to safety.
Additional rescuers abseiled down the cliff to assist. The boy was secured into a stretcher and carefully hauled up the uneven rock face, with rescuers guiding the ascent from below.
Lifted to Safety After Hours-Long Operation
Shortly after 4:00 pm, the boy was brought to the top of the cliff and carried along a bush track to waiting ambulance crews. He was reunited with family members before undergoing further medical assessment.
He was then transported to Sydney Children’s Hospital in a stable condition just before 4:45 pm.
The operation continued for about 45 minutes after the rescue, as crews worked to retrieve equipment and safely exit the location.
Previous Incidents at Warriewood Blowhole
The Warriewood blowhole has been the site of previous injuries, with major rescues occurring about once a year.
In calm conditions, lifeguards use the site for training, including navigating the underwater cave system. The rescue unfolded during a period of strong swell, which contributed to the hazardous conditions on the rock platform.
Published 15-Apr-2026
