Maroochydore Beach near drowning reported as paramedics rush to scene

The quick thinking actions of an off duty paramedic may have saved a man’s life as they performed CPR on him after he suffered a suspected heart attack near Maroochydore Beach.

An off duty paramedic performed CPR on a Sunshine Coast man who suffered a suspected heart attack while swimming near Maroochydore.

Lifeguards and Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics rushed to a sandbank off Cotton Tree Beach around 11am Friday following reports of a near drowning.

The man, believed to be 50-years-old, was flown to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

Beach goers at Cotton Tree. Photo Lachie Millard

Lifeguard supervisor Trent Robinson said the man was on the sandbank off Cotton Tree with his children when he suffered a suspected heart attack.

“An off duty paramedic was already there performing CPR when lifeguards arrived,” Mr Robinson said.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a rescue chopper flew the man to hospital at the scene.

He said the person was in a critical condition.