Police officer killed after being 'sucked into whirlpool' trying to save woman

A police officer was one of two people killed after being sucked underwater in a freak whirlpool accident.

Senior Constable Kelly Foster, 39, had attempted to save a woman during a guided canyoning tour north of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales on Saturday afternoon.

The other victim - who reportedly toppled off her lilo - is understood to have been an international student from Chiswick in Sydney, though she is yet to be formally identified.

Police divers recovered the two bodies from the water on Sunday.

NSW Police Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon said: "It's a very sad time for the NSW Police Force and Kelly’s death is a loss to the whole community.

"Kelly was a highly regarded and dedicated officer who will be sorely missed by colleagues across the force."

Police are waiting for confirmation that family members of the other victim have been notified.

Witnesses claim the initial victim fell off her inflatable after it was dragged into the whirlpool before the officer attempted to save her, according to New Zealand news outlet Stuff.

"To hear reports that Kelly was trying to help another woman when she died demonstrates her commitment to the community she served and the ability to put the needs of others before her own," Lanyon said.

The search began around 2.30pm before being suspended due to poor weather around 6pm, and then resumed at 7am on Sunday - with the bodies found at midday.

Police confirmed the fatalities were part of a canyoning group when the incident occurred.

Other group members were not injured, according to reports.

Foster joined the police force in 2010 before being confirmed as a constable two years later and later became a senior constable.

In 2014 she joined the State Crime Command as an intelligence analyst until last summer.

At one stage, Foster's career was put on hold after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.Follow the Official Rokna NEWS Telegram Channel For More and fresh NEWS.

Mirror

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