The senior lifesavers – two of the strongest and most experienced in the club - also struggled in the sea, but eventually managed to lift the children to the wharf where ambulance officers tried to revive them.

Meanwhile, Shayne had stayed in the water with Mr O’Neill until Cameron and Mr McCabe managed to take him to the beach where other ambulance officers attempted resuscitation.

Police and the lifesavers attempted CPR, after which paramedics at both places worked on the children and the men for some considerable time before the children were transferred by ambulance to Bega District Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Mr O’Neill’s body was later taken from the beach to the hospital.

Mr O’Neill, who worked at Kydd’s But-chery in Bega, and his partner Stacey Lambert, the mother of the couple’s two boys, were to be married early next year.

They lived in Kalaru.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, Superintendent Michael Willing, Far South Coast Local Area commander, said it was “probably a freak accident but also a tragic incident that will affect everyone in the area”.

Supt Willing said police were preparing a report for the coroner and there were many aspects of the incident that would be included about which he would not speculate.

“It is unclear exactly how the stroller and the children got into the water,” he said.

“But the investigation will clarify those details, as well as other aspects, although, of course, that will take some time.

“We are speaking to all witnesses and I can’t comment as to the details of those interviews.”

After the conference Supt Willing said how proud he was of the way police and other services responded to the incident.

“Police officers gave CPR at the scene and put themselves at risk in terms of trying rescue the people,” he said.

“The lifesavers and the ambulance men as well did a fantastic job.

“It’s so unfortunate that circumstances evolved the way they did.”

Supt Willing also praised Inspector Jason Edmunds of Bega Police.

“He is a very experienced officer and res-ponding to situations like these is very, very difficult,” he said.

“Officers in charge have to not only get to the scene quickly but have to weigh up the preservation of life as well as the preservation of evidence.

“It was an extremely challenging situation for all concerned.”

Supt Willing said everyone who attended the scene from the surf club, the police and ambulance officers, were to be commended on the way they conducted themselves and the attempts they made to save a father and his sons.

Supt Willing said investigations were continuing and police would like to hear from any witnesses who had not already come forward.

He asked them to contact either Crime Stoppers or the Bega Police.