Andrew Peter Johnson’s assault charge dropped

Police have dropped an assault case against a volunteer lifesaver who was charged after attending a surf club party while distraught friends of a missing swimmer sat nearby.

Police have dropped an assault case against a volunteer lifesaver who was charged after attending a wild surf club party before a search for a drowning victim resumed.

Andrew Peter Johnson briefly faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday when police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman dropped one count of common assault.

Outside of court Sergeant Ruddiman said the 48-year-old had taken part in case conferencing where another avenue was offered to him.

He couldn’t provide anymore information about the proceedings.

It was previously alleged Mr Johnson became involved in a heated argument with another man before pushing and grabbing him at a Coolum Beach Surf Life Saving Club party on March 27, 2021.

Andrew Johnson briefly faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday when police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman dropped one count of common assault. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

The alleged encounter was captured on CCTV cameras with the footage handed over to police as part of an official investigation.

Surf Life Saving Queensland is reviewing the Coolum Surf Club’s handling of the celebration, which includes claims an unidentified clubbie, who was not Mr Johnson, took naked selfies with club rescue boards and texted them to other members.

The photos, taken during the party, were not sexual in nature and it is understood they were intended as a prank, but some members were less than impressed.

No charges were laid in relation to the alleged photos.

Three clubbies, who aren’t confirmed to include Mr Johnson, were suspended after the party.

The drama unfolded as volunteers were preparing to resume the search for missing Brisbane swimmer Kyle Schroduer, 21, whose devastated friends held a vigil on the beach until late on the same night.

Mr Johnson was among the members to help with the search the following day while the other person involved in the incident spent two days combing the coastline for Mr Schroduer’s body.

Mr Schroduer’s body was found by search crews two days after his disappearance about 200m from the spot where he fell into difficulty in a rip.

Kyle Schroduer, 21, drowned off Coolum Beach. Picture: Social media.

Coolum President Ian Norman said the night had been “distressing” for the club but he was confident in the way the matter was dealt with.

“The disciplinary actions took into account everything that happened on the night to the best of our knowledge,” he said.

“The club was very distressed with what happened on the night (but) we felt that we handled it appropriately.”

The party was not an official club event, but rather drinks for some members to celebrate the end of the junior summer season.

A spokesman for SLSQ said the organisation had received a request to review the incident, with the probe now underway since the conclusion of the police investigation.

“In the interest of allowing the Queensland Police’s investigation to run its course, SLSQ had deferred any internal review process to date,” the statement said.

“During this review, all matters relating to process and sanctions will be considered.”

Johnson’s lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.

The other person involved in the incident with Mr Johnson declined to comment when contacted by The Sunday Mail.