In a tragic incident off the coast of Queensland, two British tourists drowned after being caught in rough seas while swimming near Round Hill Head, close to the famous Great Barrier Reef. The victims, a 46-year-old man and his 17-year-old son, had been enjoying their day at the popular tourist location of Seventeen Seventy, situated about 130 kilometres north of Bundaberg.
Emergency services received the distress call at approximately 2:15 PM AEST and dispatched a rescue helicopter to the scene. Unfortunately, both individuals were pronounced dead after being retrieved from the water.
Local police have confirmed that the deceased were British nationals, although their names have not been made public. Reports from British media suggest that the pair were indeed a father and son duo.
In addition to the two fatalities, a 37-year-old Australian man from Monto was also rescued from the ocean. He was airlifted to Bundaberg Hospital for medical assistance before being moved to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for further treatment.
CapRescue, the emergency service involved in the rescue, described the operation as particularly challenging and shared on social media that the unfortunate deaths occurred despite their dedicated efforts.
Seventeen Seventy, named after the year in which Captain James Cook landed in Australia, is renowned for its stunning beaches and close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, attracting both domestic and international tourists alike.
Local authorities have stated that they are treating the incident as non-suspicious, and a report is being prepared for the coroner’s review.