Kayaker drowns in turbulent ocean hours after he went live on Facebook gushing about adventure
An Australian kayaker drowned in ocean hours after he went live on Facebook updating people about his adventures. Jeremy Worthy went live on Saturday, May 23, sharing an update from his kayak as he bobbed up and down in choppy water. The social media post was uploaded just hours before he drowned, PEOPLE reported.
Worthy shared a ten-minute kayaking video of him around 5.45 pm in which he was seen attempting to fish, but the rough waves were making it difficult. In the clip, he seemed to be wearing a life jacket as he explained that due to bad weather, he started his day late on the waters. “I thought it'd be a problem. This is taking me for a ride,” Worthy was heard in the Facebook video.
However, less than an hour later, the man again went live on the social media platform saying that the high winds were blowing his kayak around, making it difficult for him to paddle. Due to the high-velocity wind in the four-minute video, Worthy’s voice was not very clear but he could be heard debating which direction would be safest to get back to shore.
You can watch the video here.
According to reports, the New South Wales Bureau of Meteorology tweeted on the afternoon of May 23 that beach conditions were "dangerous", issuing a severe weather warning for "damaging surf" and "damaging wind". The department again made an announcement later in the day by tweeting: “A monster southerly swell up to 4 to 5 meters and strong winds are moving up the coast today, impacting #Sydney, #CentralCoast and #Newcastle beaches. While tempting to get a look, keep clear rock ledges and check your skill level before entering the water."
Later on Sunday, May 24, New South Wales police said in a press release that they have found a body of a 43-year-old man in Long Beach and that authorities believed he had drowned. As per the press release, emergency services were called to the scene about 12.30 pm on May 24 after a member of the public located an empty kayak.
Later, officers from South Coast Police District located a body in the water which was then retrieved. Officers provided the man CPR until paramedics arrived, however, despite best efforts, the man died at the scene.
The man was not formally identified by police as reported by PEOPLE, but it was said that the dead man was Worthy as his Facebook page was memorialized by Wednesday, May 27. His live videos were also seen flooded with comments from loved ones mourning his death, with many expressing regret that they could not help him in his final moments.
"Always trying to help others when he needed the most. My year 10 formal date. My gentleman. My friend. I am sorry you got lost and I couldn't find you," wrote one of Worthy's friends. “So unfair fly high mate we know you're with your Dad we love you always & forever," shared another one.
Worthy had also shared a screengrab from Google Earth showing his location off the coast of Batehaven just before he went live for the second time. "I’m pretty sure this was his last call for help. I’m so sorry my friend [sic] I should have called Marine Rescue when I saw you struggle long with the waves I thought you could deal with it I feel so guilty for not seeing the reality of your situation,” one of his friends commented on the post.