Man in his 80s drowned after going missing at Broadbeach

An elderly tourist who drowned on the Gold Coast on Saturday had arrived in the country the same day, going for a swim as he waited for his hotel room to be ready.

Broadbeach. Picture: Nigel Hallett

An elderly man who drowned during a swim at a Gold Coast beach had arrived in the country the same day.

The man went missing at Broadbeach on Saturday, with police receiving reports of a missing swimmer about 4.40pm.

The man’s body was found during a search, and he ws declared dead at the scene.

During a press conference on Monday, police Acting Superintendent Jason Tuffley said the man, 81, had arrived from the US that day with his daughter.

They went for a swim while waiting for their rooms to be ready.

“As an added tragedy, they decided to swim in an area that wasn’t flagged,” Supt. Tuffley said.

Authorities have urged swimmers to stay between the flags, with police calling it a stark reminder of the dangers of unpatrolled areas.

“This is a timely reminder that if you are going to go for a swim - to swim between the patrol areas,” Supt. Tuffley said.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Originally published as Man in his 80s drowned after going missing at Broadbeach