For the third time in a few days, an almost identical tragedy has struck in the Pacific: On the Cook Islands, a woman has died trying to rescue her daughter in distress from the sea.

"She got into trouble trying to help her 11-year-old daughter who was swept away by the current," local police said on Facebook.

The 52-year-old New Zealander was on vacation with her child in the island paradise. While her daughter was saved by helpers, any help came too late for the woman. The accident reportedly happened on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, a man died in Australia trying to help his daughter caught in a current. The 42-year-old father fell into the water south of Port Macquarie but was caught in the current himself. A surfer who rushed to help was able to bring the girl safely to shore. The father died despite immediate resuscitation efforts.

A police officer died south of Sydney trying to save his son from drowning on Sunday. The 44-year-old, who was on vacation with his family, was also caught by the current in the ocean near Narooma. The 14-year-old son survived, for his father any help came too late.