Man, 70, dies after found unresponsive in water at Maroochy River mouth

A man, 70, who was found in the water “not breathing” and “unconscious” on Christmas Eve has died.

An man who was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after he was found unresponsive at the mouth of the Maroochy River has died.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said the man, 70, died as a result of a heart attack.

She said his death was not classed as a drowning.

Lifeguard supervisor Trent Robinson told the Daily it was between 7 and 8am as lifeguards were opening Maroochydore Beach for the day when a member of the public ran and told them a man in his 60s to 70s was in trouble.

A man in his 60s to 70s was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after he was found in the water “not breathing” by lifeguards. Picture: Kristen Camp

“The lifeguards took a jetski and an ATV and attended to the incident, by then some members of the public had put him on a board,” Mr Robinson said.

“He was unconscious and not breathing, they brought him to shore and the lifeguards started CPR and then an ambulance came and took him away.

“There wasn’t a pulse when he left but he wasn’t pronounced dead on the scene.”

A man in his 60s to 70s was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after he was found in the water “not breathing” by lifeguards. Picture: Kristen Camp

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said paramedics were assessing the man at 7:32am near Beach Access 141 before he was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Robinson said the incident was an “important reminder” to members of the public, especially during school holidays.

A man in his 60s to 70s was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital after he was found in the water “not breathing” by lifeguards. Picture: Kristen Camp

“Please just wait until the beach opens and don’t swim in those river mouths, especially with these large tides because once those tides turn it starts pushing out to sea,” he said.

“It’s amazing how strong those tides can be and you will get caught and pushed out to sea.”