A man has drowned while swimming among the flags at a popular beach.
The man, 60, was pulled unconscious from the water at Mooloolaba Beach on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Monday afternoon.
Relatives called for help when he failed to return to the surface after becoming under a wave, prompting a search using jet skis and the Westpac rescue helicopter.
The man’s body was found floating 400 meters from the coast 25 minutes later.
He was washed ashore and could not be saved, despite the desperate efforts of lifeguards, the public and emergency services who attended the scene.
A man tragically drowned while swimming at Mooloolaba beach (pictured) on Monday
It is understood the man may have suffered a spinal injury in the waves.
Sunshine Coast lifesaving services coordinator Shane Urban said support had been offered to lifeguards who did “the best they could” to revive the swimmer.
“We came together quickly to respond as best we could and it’s very sad for the family,” he said.
“This is a moment of sadness and recognition for those who did everything possible to save the person.”
The police will prepare a report for the coroner.
The man was swimming among the flags at the popular beach when the tragedy occurred