Peter Stone identified as ‘hero’ cop who died saving teen son at Bogola Beach, NSW

The ‘hero’ cop who drowned moments after rescuing his teenage son from a ‘substantial’ rip on New Year’s Day has been identified as Peter Stone.

The NSW police rescue officer, 45, dived into rough water at Bogola Beach on the state’s far south coast Sunday afternoon to get his 14-year-old son to safety. 

But Mr Stone was then himself caught up in the dangerous surf and emergency services were called to the beach near Narooma about 1pm. 

A helicopter from nearby Moruya spotted him in the water and alerted nearby lifesavers who rushed to the beach. 

He was pulled unconscious from the water and paramedics performed CPR in a desperate attempt to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police rescue officer Peter Stone (pictured) drowned on New Year’s Day after diving into rough water at Bogola Beach to save his 14-year-old son to safety

A police officer drowned after he saved the life of a teenage boy caught in a rip at Bogola Beach (pictured) on Sunday

NSW Police Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer said Mr Stone’s selfless actions showed his character.

‘As a father, parent and as a police officer, he was obviously doing what he should be doing,’ Inspector Hoyer said.

‘This is a tragedy … it’s devastating.’

Mr Stone, who was on extended leave from the police and had previously served in the Blue Mountains, was holidaying in the Narooma area with his family. 

Bogola Beach was not patrolled by life savers at the time of the tragedy. 

‘From what I understand, he was able to push his son out of the rip,’ Inspector Hoyer said.

‘He was then taken out to sea further in the rip and that obviously will form part of our investigation as we prepare a brief.

‘As always NSW Police and Surf Life Saving always recommend that if you do want to go to the beach, swim between the flags at a patrolled beach.’

Police rescue officer Peter Stone drowned while holidaying with his family on the NSW south coast (pictured)

Police rescue officer Peter Stone (pictured) was taken unconscious from the water and pronounced dead at the scene

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Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said ‘It’s a really, really tragic incident.’

‘We have numerous cases each year… where someone goes into the rescue and they, in turn, become the victim and the person they went to rescue successfully escapes the rip they were caught in,’ he said.

Several Australians drowned during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. 

NSW lifesavers have already carried out a record 1,000 rescues in the last week alone.

Officers from the South Coast Police District have begun an investigation and will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner. 

South Coast Acting Inspector Paul Hoyer (pictured) said Mr Stone was doing what he should have as a parent and police officer