78372

The body of a man who went missing on Sunday afternoon after submerging in a swimming enclosure off the Gold Coast Broadwater parklands has been recovered.

Emergency services were called to Paradise Point parklands around 4pm on Sunday after a 29-year-old man became stuck in nets while swimming at the enclosure.

As reported by the Gold Coast Bulletin, Queensland Police confirmed they found the body four hours after he went missing, following a frantic search including water police, a police helicopter and the dive squad.

A man who witnessed the tragedy claimed two men were sitting on the net’s float when one disappeared.

He advised “they were both sitting there … two guys maybe 27, 28 years old, and the guy says hold my beer.

“I said ‘stop’, you could see what was going to happen.

“He tried to jump off but the current took him, he came up once and I swam to him but then he went under the net.”

The witness said the man did not resurface, adding “it was so f***ing obvious what was going to happen, it’s why I yelled ‘don’t!

“It’s so sad.”

The missing man’s friend spoke to paramedics to assist in the search.

The incident came on a day when the Parklands were busy with families out enjoying the warm weather. Hundreds gathered to watch as the search continued.

On Sunday, a spokesperson for the City of Gold Coast said the city, which operates the parklands, were working with emergency services.

The statement advised “the City is aware of the incident that occurred this afternoon within the swimming enclosure at Paradise Point Parklands.

“We are actively co-operating with authorities to understand the cause of the incident.

“The city will provide any assistance it can to emergency services to assist in this matter.”

Image: The Gold Coast's Broadwater and Parklands with its swimming enclosure in the centre.

Related Articles

13th November 2024 - Queensland Water Safety and Aquatic Collaborative holds first Trainer’s Workshop

19th October 2024 - Coroner’s report includes summer swimming warning

16th October 2024 - Royal Life Saving launches new fatal drowning dashboard

3rd October 2024 - Royal Life Saving Queensland set to introduce AI-enhanced drowning detection systems training

20th August 2024 - Drowning levels continue to increase despite ever increasing resources

25th July 2024 - Royal Life Saving highlights importance of World Drowning Prevention Day

10th July 2024 - Royal Life Saving releases new guidelines for inland waterway safety

12th March 2024 - Drowning death at Cairns swimming hole highlights need for improved safety signage

28th February 2024 - Aquatic Industry event highlights achievements of drowning prevention campaigns

24th January 2024 - Royal Life Saving calls on men to ‘make the right call’ after alarming rise in summer drownings

23rd January 2024 - Ambulance Victoria and Life Saving Victoria reinforce need for caution around inland waterways

10th December 2023 - ACT Parks and Conservation Service restricts swimming in local waterways

1st November 2023 - Aquatic industry heavyweights forge groundbreaking partnership to enhance aquatic education in Queensland

19th May 2023 - Forum highlights that collaboration is key to saving lives in South East Queensland

21st April 2023 - Royal Life Saving 2023 Aquas Awards celebrates leading the way to safer waterways and community participation

18th August 2022 - $5 million Broadwater Parklands Play Attraction officially opens

25th November 2021 - New play attraction to spiral above Gold Coast’s Broadwater Parklands

14th January 2019 - Cairns rescues highlight dangers of swimming in local waterways

26th April 2018 - Brisbane City Council unveils plan to transform polluted waterway into city’s largest parkland

24th January 2016 - 59 drown in waterways since start of December

20th January 2015 - Swimmers urged to wear life jackets in inland waterways

31st October 2013 - Massive Wibit Sports installation to open on the Gold Coast Broadwater

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.