Alex Donaldson death: Family, friends pay tribute to popular Kuluin man after Cotton Tree death

Heartbroken friends and family of a much-loved Sunshine Coast dad and grandfather are mourning a ‘completely unforgettable’ mate who died after a tragedy at a popular beach.

Shattered family and friends are mourning the sudden loss of a man they say was the “most loyal” who died after a tragedy at a popular Sunshine Coast beach.

Kuluin man Alex Donaldson, 43, died on Friday morning after suffering what was being described as a medical episode while swimming with his grandchildren at Cotton Tree.

The self-employed gas and solar plumber was with his family on Friday morning on a sandbank off the beach at Cotton Tree when he suffered what lifeguards said was a suspected heart attack.

He was flown by rescue helicopter to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition but tragically died on the way to hospital.

His brother Anthony said his brother’s passing was difficult to comprehend as he’d been a fit gym goer who was “very, very active”.

Tributes are flowing for popular Sunshine Coast man Alex Donaldson who tragically died after an incident at Cotton Tree beach on Friday morning.

“It was very sudden, he was just taking the grandkids for a swim,” Mr Donaldson’s brother said.

“It’s just really tragic.”

Mr Donaldson went to primary school at Bli Bli and was a former Maroochydore State High School student, having grown up on the Sunshine Coast.

He’d purchased a home in Western Australia several years ago but had recently returned to Kuluin to help look after his grandchildren while his daughter studied to be a paramedic when tragedy struck.

Anthony Donaldson said his popular brother had been up visiting and was holidaying at Cotton Tree Caravan Park before his death on Friday.

“He (Alex) was ridiculously loyal,” Mr Donaldson said.

“The whole Coast knows him.

“There’s some grown men that don’t cry that are crying.”

Alex Donaldson was being remembered as a man who would give the shirt off his back to help others after his tragic death on Friday.

Mr Donaldson said his brother “saw the light in everything” and had a knack for making people laugh.

“He was there for anyone and everyone,” he said.

“He was everyone’s best mate.

“The world lost a massive personality in my brother. He was completely unforgettable.”

Mr Donaldson was being mourned by his two daughters, Jazmyn and Jessie and grandchildren Spencer, 3, and Chase, 5, as well as his mother, extended family and many friends.

In a cruel twist for the family, Mr Donaldson arrived at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and was pronounced dead as his family was preparing to turn off life support for Mr Donaldson’s father who had suffered a catastrophic heart failure last week during a live music gig in Yandina.

Mr Donaldson’s brother said a paddleboarder had spotted Mr Donaldson in the water about 11am Friday and the paddleboarder’s partner, an off-duty paramedic, tried desperately to save Mr Donaldson’s life by beginning CPR before lifeguards and paramedics arrived.

Rossana Norton said her husband John Timmermans and another man in his late-30s had been two of the first to respond to the tragedy on Friday.

Ms Norton said the man in his late-30s managed to pull Mr Donaldson’s grandchildren to safety after he’d called for help, preventing the loss of the two youngsters.

Ms Norton said her husband then started CPR on Mr Donaldson before more help arrived.

She praised the efforts of the man who saved the two children and her husband and said her thoughts were with Mr Donaldson’s family.

“It was tragic,” she said.

Mr Donaldson’s brother Anthony said funeral preparations were underway and he expected there would be a huge crowd of people wanting to pay their respects.

Cotton Tree beach is a popular spot for young families. Picture: Lachie Millard

A long-term friend of Mr Donaldson’s, David Green, said his good mate would be “sadly missed”.

“I have known Alex since we were 16,” Mr Green said.

“He has always stuck up for the battler asks for nothing and gives everything.

“He is selfless and always put others before him.

“He lived for his two daughters and grandkids.

“His personality, smile and charm drew you in – you could be a 70year-old lady or someone in need and he would give the shirt off his back if he thought they needed it, gather food and find them somewhere to go if needed.”

Mr Green described his mate as “an old man in a young man’s body” who was a friend too all “no matter who you were or what you did”.

“Whatever he did and put his mind to he achieved,” Mr Green said.

“I always felt like he was my brother and my kids call him uncle. He meant the world to many people and we have all been left in disbelief this man could be gone at the age of 43.

“I have lost family before although nothing like this. For the first time in my life I have cried like a baby as the feeling of knowing he will no longer be there has broken my heart.”

One of Mr Donaldson’s old school friends Troy Firth said his mate was known around town for his energetic smile.

“I hadn’t seen him in years but went to school with him and knew his brother well,” he said.

“(Alex) had an infectious smile and always happy and worked hard for his family.”

Sunshine Coast Police confirmed Mr Donaldson’s death was not suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.