Coolum Beach clubbie Lindsay Alan Crofton mourned after sudden death

A much-loved Sunshine Coast clubbie and former paramedic who lost his life in a Father’s Day tragedy at a popular beach has been remembered as a dad who was ‘loved by all’.

The heartbroken wife of a Coolum Beach clubbie and former paramedic says her beloved husband “lived for the beach” where he sadly lost his life on Father’s Day, despite the best efforts of lifeguards.

Coolum Beach man Lindsay Alan Crofton, 63, was swimming at the main beach along David Low Way about 9.30am on Sunday September 4, 2022 when he was pulled from the surf by his mates.

Lifeguards worked on Mr Crofton for more than 45 minutes while shocked onlookers at Coolum Beach watched on hoping they could save the popular clubbie’s life.

A Queensland Police spokesman said he sadly died at the scene.

His wife Katie Crofton said his family and mates were shocked to lose the beloved 63-year-old as he was considered to be “so fit”.

Coolum Beach man Lindsay Crofton is being mourned following his sudden death. Picture: Lachie Millard

“He should be at home with all of his friends, he shouldn’t of been the first one to go,” Mrs Crofton said.

“He should’ve outlasted everyone.”

Mrs Crofton said her husband, who had been part of the Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club for decades, was “loved by all”.

“He lived for that beach,” she said.

“And that’s where we’ll have his ashes scattered.”

Close friend and Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Supporters Club president Ernie Burrows said those at the club were shocked following Mr Crofton’s sudden death.

“Lindsay would try and swim pretty much every morning and go to the gym three days of the week and work out, it’s just a total shock,” Mr Burrows said.

Lindsay Crofton exiting the ocean at Coolum Beach in 2018. Picture: Lachie Millard

“He’s never had any issues as far as I know, he’s been always reasonably good.”

Mr Burrows jokingly said those at the club always asked when he and Mr Crofton were going to get married because they got on that well, and shared a love for the beach and surf.

“We just had a lot of things in common in regards to training, how the club’s going … it was just a great friendship between two people that had a common interest,” he said.

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Mr Crofton’s mate said the 63-year-old dad had a “no nonsense” personality, where you always knew were you stood.

“One of the biggest things was that he was an experienced paramedic, he brought so much experience in regards to that,” Mr Burrows said.

“He brought another aspect to surf life saving with his ambo (sic) knowledge, and gave people a different idea on how to do first aid treatment.”

In his many years with the Coolum Surf Life Saving Club, Mr Burrows said Mr Clifton held multiple roles including being first aid officer, the chief training officer and a trainer.

Mr Burrows said Mr Crofton’s expertise in paramedics helped enact a lot of change in the club that could still be seen today.

Police were treating Mr Crofton’s death as non-suspicious and it was understood to have been a medical incident.