Beach paradise death trap: 200k visitors a year and no phone reception

It’s a beach paradise just two hours north of Brisbane, but this idyllic location is proving a death trap. When tragedy strikes, it’s nearly impossible to call for help

New details into the tragic death of a 21-year-old Sunshine Coast man have emerged, including the moment strangers in a four-wheel-drive pulled him from the surf and their desperate attempts to call for help.

The young man’s body was recovered from the water about 1.30pm Sunday, May 28 after he disappeared from his campsite, dressed in a yellow shirt and jeans, about 9pm the night before.

Tin Can Bay police officer in charge Sergeant Mick Bazzo said the alarm was raised about an hour later, but there was no indication where he went due to the remoteness of the location.

The young man was camping with friends and family, Sergeant Bazzo said, and it was first thought he may have joined another campsite.

A police search continued into the night and restarted the next morning, before the young man’s body was tragically pulled from the surf by a group of strangers driving along the beach.

Sergeant Mick Bazzo (pictured here in 2018) said it was believed the young man’s death was a result of misadventure.

Sergeant Bazzo said this coincided with the moment SES arrived to help with the search, with the volunteers quickly shielding the body from view with their cars.

It was believed the tragic death was the result of a misadventure after going into the water late that night. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances.

Reports later surfaced some witnesses had attempted to call for help after the devastating discovery, but had no phone service.

Sergeant Bazzo said it was well-known parts of Teewah Beach had no phone reception; something that has been an issue for several years.

“There are about half a dozen spots along the beach you may get reception,” he said.

“(It’s) disgracefully bad.”

Sunshine Coast volunteer and lifesaving services coordinator Shane Urban.

The only way to get phone reception, he said, was to find one of the spots along the beach, hike up the hill, or use the only public phone at the Freshwater Camping Areas.

“If you do get into trouble, you’re isolated until someone comes along,” he said.

Surf Lifesaving Services Coordinator Shane Urban said the lack of phone coverage had caused issues for lifeguards in the area where it was estimated in 2020 more than 200,000 people visit annually.

He said north of the Teewah Village to Double Island Point were problem areas and better communication would help with call-outs.

The water at Teewah Beach can be very dangerous, he said, and it was important for swimmers to know their limitations.

Telstra regional general manager May Boisen said mobile coverage can be affected by factors such as the device being used, distance from a tower, terrain such as hills and valleys, vegetation or buildings.

“Telstra’s 4G and 3G coverage is available … but the terrain and thick vegetation in the area does affect it,” she said.

The company continually investigates new opportunities to extend their mobile coverage, she said.

Aerial drone photos of Teewah Beach, Great Sandy National Park, Queensland.

“We’re working in partnership with the Noosa Shire Council to investigate funding options like these to extend our coverage in the area,” she said.

Coverage in a home or vehicle can be increased with an external aerial or a phone booster.

Optus and Vodafone were also contacted for comment.

Sergeant Bazzo praised the efforts of volunteers with the search for the young man.

“They’re just ordinary people doing voluntary work, and they did an excellent job under the circumstances,” he said.

Those affected by the situation are offered counselling and support, Sergeant Bazzo said, and anyone who needs help has been encouraged to reach out to police.