A man has drowned while swimming between the flags at a popular beach.
The man, 60, was pulled from the water unresponsive at Mooloolaba Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Monday afternoon.
Family members called for help when he failed to return to the surface after he went under a wave, sparking an search involving jetskis and the Westpac rescue helicopter.
The man’s body was found floating 400m from shore 25 minutes later.
He was pulled to shore but was unable to be saved, despite the desperate efforts of lifeguards, members of the public and emergency responders who performed CPR at the scene.
A man tragically drowned while swimming at Mooloolaba Beach (pictured) on Monday
It’s understood the man may have suffered a spinal injury in the surf.
Sunshine Coast Lifesaving services coordinator Shane Urban said that support has been offered to lifeguards who did their ‘absolute best’ to revive the swimmer.
‘We rallied quickly to respond as best possible, and it’s very sad for the family,’ he said.
‘This is a time of sadness and acknowledgement to those who did their absolute best to save the person.’
Chief lifeguard Anthony King added: ‘He was doing the right thing, obviously swimming between the red and yellow flags, but it was just an unfortunate accident.’
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The man has swimming between the flags at the popular beach when tragedy struck
The swimmer was the 86th to drown in Australian waters this summer which has already surpassed last year’s toll.
Surf Life Saving Queensland has issued a reminder to beachgoers to stay safe following a busy weekend.
Lifesavers performed 14 rescues and 88 first aid treatments on the Sunshine Coast alone over the two days.
