Two people have died and a man is in critical condition after an incident at a popular beach in Queensland’s southeast on Sunday.
The two men and a teenage boy reportedly got into trouble after they entered the water about 2pm.
Emergency services rushed to a beach at 1770, about 150km north of Bundaberg, where shocked beachgoers reported the suspected drowning incident.
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It has now been confirmed the victims were UK tourists — a 46-year-old father and his 17-year-old son — who were swept out by a powerful rip.
The pair were pulled around a headland east of the busy 1770 caravan park, a popular location visited by hundreds each year.
The teenage boy and his father were pronounced dead at the scene.
The third person, believed to be the father’s brother-in-law — 43-year-old Mike Evans, a mechanic from Minto in NSW — tried to rescue them but was thrown against rocks by large surf, suffering serious head injuries.
Multiple emergency crews responded, including paramedics, surf lifesavers, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and the rescue helicopter.
Tour operator Neil Mergard, who was on the water at the time, described the scene as “action stations”.
“While out on tour, we saw a fair bit of frantic activity with boats and things out by the bar,” he said.
“The emergency services sprung into life and the helicopter was in the air soon after.
“We could see them doing their work, winching out the deceased.”
“Thankfully, these days we have this kind of support, and these government agencies work together to at least give grieving families closure. I know for people who’ve lost loved ones at sea, that closure is a big thing.”
Mergard said the region’s natural beauty draws tourists from around the world — but that same beauty can hide danger for the unprepared.
“We’ve got reef tours and and the beaches with the surf and things, so, you know, it’s a patrol beach at Agnes Water where people are recommended to swim,” he said.
“Jumping into these heavy surf zones, you put yourself at a real risk, and from overseas visitors just not being familiar with the dangers inherent with that sort of environment.”
Locals say the tragedy has rocked the tight-knit seaside community.
“It’s very sad to hear, and in a little town like this we don’t get a lot of that happening,” a surfer said.
Some residents of the small Queensland town say they’ve been pushing for clearer safety signage in the area.
“But, common sense goes a long way,” Mergard said.
“If you see a place like that, it’s a washing machine area, you know, you just opt out of going in there.
“Unfortunately, these sort of irrational or unfortunate decisions are made, and it can have a knock-on effect too with rescuers being put in danger as well.”
“Like the old story goes — swim between the red and yellow flags.”
