Emergency services and police attended multiple unrelated incidents across Palm Beach between Sunday, 1 February and Wednesday, 4 February, according to reports provided to authorities.
Beach Closures and Marine Safety
Shortly after 10:30am on Sunday, 1 February, Surf Life Saving NSW North Palm Beach patrol temporarily closed the beach for about an hour following a reported shark sighting.
Just after 11:30am the same day, Surf Life Saving NSW Palm Beach patrol again closed the beach for approximately one hour after a shark was sighted about 150 metres off the southern end of the beach.
Theft
Shortly after 9:30pm on Monday, 2 February, NSW Police received a report of property stolen from a vehicle parked along Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach. Investigations were ongoing.
Medical and Disorder Incidents
Shortly before 11:30pm on Monday, 2 February, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance responded to reports of a person unconscious on the beach near Beach Road. A 20-year-old woman was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Shortly before 2:00pm on Tuesday, 3 February, NSW Ambulance and NSW Police responded to reports of a man collapsing after rowing ashore from a boat moored at Sandy Beach Cove. Due to his deteriorating condition, a rescue helicopter was requested. The man, aged in his 50s, was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
Rescues at Barrenjoey Headland
Shortly after 1:00pm on Tuesday, 3 February, emergency services responded to reports from hikers who located a man in his 30s collapsed near Barrenjoey Lighthouse at the top of Barrenjoey Headland. A rescue helicopter winched a medical team to the site, where the man was found unconscious with a broken leg. He was treated, placed into an induced coma and flown to hospital in a critical condition.
Just before 7:30pm the same day, emergency services were called after a woman slipped and fell from a steep pathway at Barrenjoey Headland. Firefighters located the 25-year-old woman around 7–8 metres down a rock face. She was assessed for possible spinal and internal injuries, recovered using rope rescue techniques, and flown to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Police Assistance
Just after 3:30pm on Wednesday, 4 February, NSW Police attended Beach Road, Palm Beach, to assist with releasing a child who had become locked inside a parked vehicle.
Some incidents remain under investigation, with authorities continuing routine follow-up where required.
Published 5-Feb-2026
