08.02.2021
2 min read

‘It’s very credible’: New details emerge about ‘baby wrapped in plastic’ at Sydney beach

NSW Police have revealed why the witnesses decided not to attempt to retrieve what they believed was an infant from the water’

7NEWS Update: February 8

Three men had spent the afternoon with their families at a beach in southeastern Sydney when they saw what they believed to be a baby wrapped in a plastic bag submerged in shallow water.

Emergency services attended the Yarra Bay area at La Perouse about 5pm on Sunday afternoon after the men, who were exploring rock pools at the time, raised the alarm.

Unfortunately, by the time police arrived the bundle could not be located.

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Police Marine Area Command, Polair, NSW Ambulance and several rescue helicopters scoured the area but the search was suspended on Sunday afternoon due to poor visibility, before resuming on Monday morning.

Police Marine Area Command, Polair, NSW Ambulance and several rescue helicopters scoured the area on Sunday. Credit: 7NEWS
NSW Police said nothing of significance had been located as of midday on Monday. Credit: 7NEWS

“Unfortunately to this point, there has been nothing located to enable us to further our investigations,” Eastern Beaches Detective Superintendent Rohan Cramsie told reporters.

He said there were no further witnesses but the three men had a “consistent version of events”.

"‘They did what they thought was right at the time.’"

Superintendent Cramsie also addressed criticism that the men hadn’t attempted retrieved the bag.

“They did what they thought was right at the time, and that was to leave the item where it was and contact police, which enabled us to respond very quickly and take the significant actions we have done,” he said.

“These gentlemen last night have acted in good faith, and we certainly compliment them for doing that.

“The information they have provided seems very credible and that is why we are taking this so seriously.”

Public appeal

He said a video had been taken, although it was “grainy” which made it “very hard to decipher what may or may not be inside that bag”.

The search has been wound back but police continue to appeal for any further witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

“The smallest piece of information may assist us in conducting further investigations,” he said.

“It is difficult to confirm what the gentlemen believe that they saw in the bag until we find that bag, or speak to further witnesses.”

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