The bodies of the two women were recovered on Sunday morning.

One was 39-year-old Senior Constable Kelly Foster, who witnesses say had been attempting to rescue the woman who'd been swept off her inflatable lilo into a whirlpool at Mount Wilson on Saturday.

The younger woman is yet to be named but is believed to be a 24-year-old international student who was living in Sydney.

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Sen Const Foster was most recently stationed at Lithgow after she took a break in her career when diagnosed with breast cancer.

Acting Commissioner Mal Lanyon said her return to work was a testament to her resilience.

"To hear reports that Kelly was trying to help another woman when she died demonstrates her commitment to the community she served and the ability to put the needs of others before her own," he said.

Police Minister David Elliott said Sen Const Foster's death was a "sincere loss for her family, community and the NSW Police Force".

"Sen Const Foster sadly lost her life coming to the aid of another, a truly heroic act that will never be forgotten," he said.

"She had served her community as part of the NSW Police Force since 2010 and will be dearly missed by her colleagues.

"My thoughts are with all of Sen Const Foster's family and friends at this time."

Police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene on Saturday to help eight other members of the canyoning group. No one else was injured.

The search was suspended about 6pm because of poor weather, and resumed on Sunday with help from police divers. The bodies were found around midday.

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